Op-Ed: The Catholic Church allows straight couples to divorce and re-marry in civil unions, so why can't same-sex couples marry in civil unions?

impre.com
November 21, 2009
A Catholic can remarry under civil law without leaving the Catholic Church. He or she cannot have a second marriage by the Catholic Church, but a civil ceremony is allowed, granting all the state and federal rights and benefits associated with matrimony. In that case there is separation of church and state. Why does this not apply to same-sex couples seeking a civil marriage? [Link]