The following is the text of a US Government document outlining the 1,138 benefits and protections of civil marriage. Contary to popular misperception, these benefits are denied to civil unions. They are granted only to civil marriage contracts.
The document consists of a cover letter and two appendices.
This document, GAO report number GAO-04-353R entitled 'Defense of Marriage Act: Update to Prior Report', which was released on February 24, 2004 may be obtained from the United States General Accounting Office website.
The prior version dated January 31, 1997 is available here.
