Same-sex unions

Ms Gaby Calleja (The Sunday Times, January 7) wrote: "It is unfair and discriminatory to deny same-sex couples legal access to civil marriage and to all its attendant benefits, rights, privileges and obligations".

If it were possible, give these people the benefits they are after as enumerated grosso modo by Ms Calleja, but let us not allow their living together being called "marriage", not even if sanctioned by a legal deed.

Choose any other word, but don't usurp the word "marriage", that ought to be restricted to legal union of a man and woman.

Having said this, as a corollary, widows/widowers living with single children as well as single members of the same family living together, whether males or females whose father and mother are both dead, ought also to enjoy the same privileges expected by same-sex couples.