The step from civil partnership to civil union is a process in it’s self. With more same sex couples then ever before more states are stepping up to the plate and fighting with supreme courts to legalize same sex marriage, although the marriages will only be legal in six states. The first state to ever legalize same sex marriage was Massachusetts in May 2004 followed by Connecticut in October 2008, in April 2009 the states of Iowa and Vermont past the same sex marriage law and gay chat as well, followed closely by Maine in May 2009 and New Hampshire in June 2009.
Although we have made big leaps forward in many states for equal rights for same sex partnerships, this is slow process and even though marriage may be obtained in six states, in all states same sex couples are not entitled to any benefits from their spouse including social security.