Howdy Folks!
Okay so in case anyone was wondering here are the current laws/ rules/ benefits what have you, in place as far as a same sex couples are entitled.
A step forward?
·Adoption: 19 states allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children in a complex and expensive two-step process, in which one parent first adopts and then the second can petition for joint rights.
· Ceremonial Marriages: Same Sex Marriages may be officiated by church officials, or anyone else, but ceremonial marriages in and of themselves involve no civil laws and carry no legal benefits or responsibilities.
· Domestic Partnership Registration: is a means by which some cities allow opposite- and same-sex couples to go on public record as a non-married couple. The major benefit is used to establish legal responsibility for debts after a relationship ends.
· Domestic Partnership Affidavit: Many private employers and municipalities offer domestic partner benefits to their workers, based on signing a legal affidavit that defines an economic relationship.
Seems to be pretty reasonable at first glance wouldn’t you think? Okay so let’s take a second look and maybe point out a few holes and trends shall we?
Adoption: So how many states are there in the “United” States of American 50? Right, thought so, we have 50 states with split rulings on adoption and thus far only 19 allow adoption from same sex couples after a rigorous process. Our Union has its priorities a little skewed I must say. We have thousands and thousands of orphaned children yearning for a warm loving home to call their own, but we’d rather deny caregivers based on their sexual orientation than see that they have the comfort and guidance to grow up and be productive members of society. Yeah, I’d have to agree with the other 31 states and let those kids grow up on the streets or bounce from foster home to foster home because it would be erroneous to have two parents care for them.
Ceremonial Marriages: As far as these ceremonial marriages go, I think I had more rights in the backyard wedding I had as a kid to the neighbor boy, when we exchanged hostess snacks for each other’s hand in marriage. It was pretty romantic. Just as it was special to Spencer and I these ceremonial marriages are special to the couples, and no one else. Thanks to Prop 8 they aren’t recognized by anyone but those involved, they carry no legal benefits or civil responsibilities. But the idea is nice.
Domestic Partnership Registration: The keyword in this one that seems to carry a bit of weight is SOME. SOME cities allow… well gays guess you are going to have to up-root and seek out SOME cities to register… good luck!
Domestic Partnership Affidavit: Here we have one of those fun words at work again MANY employers offer… Well hope SOME of those cities have one of those MANY employers offering work.
It’s not enough
Federal rights NOT Covered by Civil Unions
· Immigration Rights: Cannot have a non-U.S. spouse become a full citizen.
· Social Security: Cannot collect benefits upon death of a spouse.
· Federal Taxes: Cannot file jointly as a married couple
This is where the issues are sticky, because this is what Prop 8 truly discriminates against, and what so many pro-8’s don’t even consider. Sure people will have a stance one way or another on the marriage aspect of same sex couples according to what their moral or religious beliefs dictate. But do they truly understand what they are trying to withhold? These are basic entitlements in a marriage that gay couples are not privileged to.
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