found: CNN.com, Aug. 1, 2003("Canada, Netherlands, and Belgium now allow gay marriage and Britain is considering civil unions ... Several other countries have given gays rights just short of those enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.")
found: GLAD Web site, Dec. 1, 2003(Civil Marriage v. Civil Unions - What's the Difference?: "A civil union is a legal status ... [that] provides legal protection to couples at the state law level, but omits federal protections as well as the dignity, clarity, security and power of the word 'marriage.'")
found: Lambda Legal Web site, Dec. 1, 2003(What is a Civil Union?: "A civil union is a comprehensive legal status parallel to civil marriage for all purposes under Vermont state law. As of July 1, 2000, a same-sex couple from any state -- where each person is at least age 18, competent, and not closely related by blood -- may apply to Vermont town clerks for a civil union license, have that license "certified" by a judge, justice of the peace or willing member of the clergy, and then receive a civil union certificate. This process parallels Vermont law on entering into a civil marriage.")
found: LC database, Dec. 1, 2003(civil unions)
