It's a simple and elegant solution, Tony Lavis… And I foresee a trend for weddings occurring on – guess which day? – yielding a mid-week day off work for those involved.

Those who regard such relationships as lifelong can also describe themselves as wedlocked.

But will 'wedding bans' describe laws prohibiting SSW?

Alan, thank you for maintaining as long as you did the effort required to discuss this community dividing question seriously and with respect. I suspect that many people would find the fourteenth repetition of your ridiculing their discomfort at being forced by law to change their lifetime's use of words such as marriage, husband and wife no more convincing than the first.

Hi again Glen,

Have just reviewed our conversation so far and admit my last post does read as being sarcastic and disrespectful.

My apologies for that, Glen. I most certainly did not intend to ridicule.

I know this is a difficult issue for many people and is causing much confusion, distress and division within families, churches, political parties and in the broad community.

Sometimes humour and satire are appropriate. But I think you are right: I misjudged it this time.

Sorry, Glen.

Alan: Apology accepted. Thank you.

I believe a very astute govt would put this issue to a referendum, to decide, at the next election? It would get them off the hook, with the reported majority!
Given around 62% now support marriage equality, it could very easily put a voting majority offside, if one particular party decided, that they simply couldn't wear any increased tolerance or genuine equality.
Some of the potential heat could be removed, before that possibility, by the passage through the parliament, of same sex civil union.
Not ideal or as much as the gay community would want or would be entitled to, if genuine equality actually determined the outcome.
In any event, it would be a step in the right direction; and, not likely to be a bridge too far?
When we reach a day, when same sex unions are perceived as part of the normal social fabric?
Perhaps blessing them with the terminology marriage won't arouse so much hostility/resistance or mean spirited intolerance/persecution or completely unchristian hate!
People in a so-called democracy are entitled to speak their mind or retain a particular view of reality.
Even if that view includes a flat 6,000 year old planet at the very centre of the universe, or that we all sprang from a single couple, meaning, many subsequent sexual unions between siblings?
But, there is no inherent right to discriminate/persecute/ or vilify, on the basis of difference!
Rhrosty.