Civil Union and Marriage: Separate But Equal

Straight from Change.gov:

While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

I find it interesting that Obama is so strongly opposed to discrimination based on sexual orientation, but somehow supports only the gay man or woman's right to a civil union. As a conversation at my school a few days ago (to which I was only a witness) went:

Teacher: "So you support Obama's opposition to gay marriage... why?"

Student: "Well, a civil union gives all the same rights of marriage, just under a different name."

Teacher: "So, it's like, 'separate but equal.'"

Student: "Yeah, I guess."

Teacher: "So how does Barack Obama not support government-enforced segregation?"

My jaw dropped.