Some states have adopted civil union laws and, most recently, the New Jersey Supreme Court mandated at least civil unions for same-sex couples. Two more state high court decisions - in California and Maryland - are anticipated. Some have suggested that civil unions are the wave of the future while others maintain that civil unions are a separate and unequal second class status, resulting in rights inferior to those granted through marriage. What are the legal distinctions between marriage rights and civil unions? How are the best interests of children - caught squarely in the cross-hairs of the debate - served? Where does the movement for marriage equality go from here?

• Alphonso David,  Special Advisor to the Commissioner, New York State Division of Human Rights  (Real Video / Windows Media)
  
• Carrie Evans, Director of Policy & Planning, Equality Maryland  (Real Video / Windows Media)
  
• Ruth A. Marcus, Columnist, Washington Post  (Introduction: Real Video / Windows Media)
• Shannon Price Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights  (Real Video / Windows Media)
• Jeffrey Ventrella, Senior Vice-President, Alliance Defense Fund  (Real Video / Windows Media)

Link to discussion: Real Video / Windows Media
Link to questions and answers: Real Video / Windows Media