The reason why marriages are overwhelmingly recognized from state to state is because honoring the marriage protects the settled expectations of the parties. Couples joined in civil union have secured a legal status which imposes upon them both benefits and burdens of marriage, and their expectation interests also deserve respect. There is a bright line difference between civilly united couples and unmarried non-gay couples who have not entered into any legally formalized relationship. The same slippery slope and feared jeopardy to marriage concerns do not apply to civil unions. Compare Braschi v.
Marriage is a fundamental building block of the family and our society.
Its integrity cannot be jeopardized by treating people who are civilly united as though they are married. There is no strong public policy against equal treatment and respect for civil unions. To the contrary, respecting civil unions strengthens existing family relationships. 16 Mass. at 161. There is also a growing recognition of the existence and needs of same-sex families.