"Protecting" more than just the definition of marriage

Kevin Drum (via Andrew Tobias) points out something we all missed in the furor over the election - eight of the eleven state referenda banned more than just gay marriage. From Boston.com:

In state after state -- most prominently in Ohio (which Bush barely won) and in Michigan (which he nearly did) -- these referendums went far beyond the question of who gets to be formally married. They also banned legal and other conventions incidental to marriage, which are central to the evolving institutions of civil unions and domestic partnerships.

Incidental things, like the right to contractually arrange distribution of assets, child custody, pensions, and other employment benefits. Basically, civil union rights of any kind.