$deity forbid gay people have the same rights as married couples without calling it a marriage. I have a feeling some people would still be offended like their own personal marriages would be under attack even if you removed all trace of "marriage" for gay couples.

Don't forget that couple that got offended at the removal of "bride" and "groom" on their wedding license: http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1239279.html