Got this from our friends at Bella Online. For the entire article, go to:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56284.asp/zzz
Civil Union verses Gay Marriage
"Is there really a difference when it comes to civil unions and gay marriage? What is in a simple word? Is there really a case that one is better over the other? Why should it really matter if we get the rights we want in the end? I will tell you why it matters.A Gay Marriage is essentially MARRIAGE! There is no way to get around the meaning of the word. A marriage is a marriage is a marriage is a marriage. Plain and simple, and to the point. You have all the rights and responsibilities of any other married person. However, you will not be recognized by the Federal Government because of DOMA of course. Maybe someday, but not now! You also have to remember you can only get married in Massachusetts. Lonely life there in good ole Mass!
A Civil Union is not a Marriage. It is like comparing apples to oranges or salt to sugar. It is like oil and water; they do not mix and cannot be used interchangeably. What is it really? Simply enough a civil union is a simple contract recognized by the state (if your state has it) that gives you the “feel” of being married. In that state, and that state alone, unless of course your state also recognizes out-of-state issued civil unions, you will have the “honor” and “privilege” of being in an almost “marriage”. You will be responsible for each other. You can file joint state taxes. You can have children together and be responsible for them if your union is dissolved. You can go in your partner’s room and make medical decisions for them if they are incapacitated. An almost marriage, but not a “real” marriage..."
I can see their point. I, personally, would be willing to accept civil unions because I know that there are still a LOT of straights (and gays for that matter) in this country who are very uncomfortable with gay marriage, but don't have any issue with us having civil unions. Is it fair? No! However, it is more than what I have now. Call that settling. Call it giving in. I call it a step in the right direction.
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"Is there really a difference when it comes to civil unions and gay marriage?"
ReplyDeleteThe Social Security Administration, the Citizenship & Immigration Services, and every other unit of the federal government thinks so.
How quickly people forget the "petty" (i.e., legal and financial) aspects of bona fide marriage.
Er civil unions provide about 1/3 of the rights & protections of gay marriage. So yes there is a differece. For the truth about gay marriage check out our short trailer produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: www.OUTTAKEonline.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback. I absolutely agree that marriage is the best protection for our families. I am just saying that, until minds and hearts have been changed in a more widespread fashion, I'm willing to have civil unions as the law of the land.
ReplyDeleteSharone
....gay folks need the same rights that married folks get. They don't need something called 'marriage'. That's just silly.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI really don't have a set opinion on this matter. I'm on the fence as I can see both sides. I have family members and friends who are gay.
ReplyDeleteBut seeing the deleted comments above - it seems as though as much as you preach for the world to have an open mind- and freedom, it seems that you're only approving what you want to hear.
Isn't it OK to disagree? You disagree with the amendment that Marriage is between a Man AND a Woman only... maybe I disagree that that amendment should be changed to allow whatever people want to call marriage.
It makes me unnerved that the world is changing so much to allow whatever people feel it is that they should have allowed. I believe in the core structure of family. There are rules and guidelines for a reason. You wouldn't be so lenient with your child would you? If they feel they should have the right to drink and drugs - TO HECK with the "must be 21 to drink" law, I should drink whenever and however much I want!"
Man and Woman were made with certain body parts to fit for a reason. There wouldn't be people on the earth if it wasn't for MAN + WOMAN structure.
Makes me wonder if my comment will be deleted...
Emily,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is fine to disagree, but the emphasis of this blog first and foremost is to be a safe haven for GLBT people and their allies. If there is anything that I consider inflamatory, I delete it. You stated your opinion very thoughtfully and I would have no reason to delete it, but the ones I did ventured into an area I did not find appropriate for this venue.
I'm writing a paper on same sex marriage right now. I've gotten pretty involved and opinionated via my research. Some interesting points:
ReplyDelete-Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled that denying the status of marriage itself to same-sex couples was discriminatory. "To decide otherwise would require us to apply one set of constitutional principles to gay persons and another to all others." -Justice Richard Palmer
- It is a violation of civil rights: Brown v. Board of Education = separate is NOT equal! A civil union is NOT the same as a marriage.
- The institutions of religion and government are in a duel over the third institution of marriage. To separate marriage from one would have epic results: not having your love blessed by god or not being able to file taxes jointly; shared custody of children; have hospital visitation rights; be entitled to automatic inheritance if a partner dies w/o a will...
I'm straight. I won't marry until everyone can.
The problem is that the word "marriage" has two different meanings and is two different institutions, one religious and the other legal.
ReplyDeleteSo perhaps it would be better to "disambiguate" marriage so that it exists only as a religious ceremony/vow/institution. Then, all current and future legal marriages would be reclassified as civil unions.
The church can have marriage, but they can't impose their definition of marriage upon the legal civil union. And government can't force churches to redefine their ideas about marriage to conform to the legal definition of civil unions. Separation of church and state. ;-)