Many couples choose not to marry so that they may preserve their social security, pension, and veterans benefits. And marriage is not an option for tens of thousands of gay and lesbian Palm Beach County couples in committed relationships.
It doesn't appear he understands the sensitivity to gay and lesbian students when a word like that is used.
Once this law takes effect, gay and lesbian couples legally partnered anywhere in the world will have domestic partnerships, civil unions, or marriages recognized automatically.
I just don't think he understands how dehumanizing his comments were to gay and lesbian people and how hurtful they were to gay and lesbian students. This is the best we're going to get from Tom Lynch. It's more of an explanation than an apology.
But it really leads us to believe he doesn't understand the sensitivity of minority groups, especially the gay and lesbian community. At least with this explanation, we can put the matter to rest.