In a New York Times opinion piece, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi underscores a distinction with a major difference in the debate over marriage equality: same-sex couples are asking for civil marriage, not holy matrimony, and they deserve the right.

Many civil marriages are not considered “holy matrimony” by religious institutions because they do not conform to the rules of the religious institution. Those marriages have not challenged religious liberty. We must see that civil marriage, which has always been separate from religious marriage, will remain so.

But most important, gays and lesbians have suffered too long from legal discrimination, social marginalization and even violence. They are entitled to clear recognition of their equal status as citizens of a country that is founded on the principle that we are all inherently worthy. By delivering a clear message that same-sex couples can no longer be treated as separate and unequal in New York, we will also reduce discrimination in everyday life. We will all be better for that.

While religious institutions may not believe theologically in marrying same-sex couples, their practice of religion would be in no way affected by expanding the civil right to marriage to gay and lesbian New Yorkers.