A reader at retrieverweekly.com articulates an argument that I've been advocating for a couple of years now:
"... if this country is based on the concept of separation between church and state, then the word "marriage" should not be involved in this argument at all. "Marriage" is a religious institution, therefore the government should not have a say in it. All couples, heterosexual and homosexual, should be granted domestic partnerships instead. If they choose to get married within their respective religions, that is a matter for their houses of worship to determine."
Read the full letter here.
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2 comments:
Yes! The word marriage is used to refer to both the religious and the civil ceremony, and it's always bugged me, because they're really two very different things.
Here's my question - does a "civil union" or "domestic partnership" really convey the same legal status as "marriage"? People keep saying it does, but I'm actually not sure - if you enter into a civil union, do you get all the same tax benefits, property rights, legal protections, etc? Does your company's health insurance have to let you include your domestic partner regardless of gender? Or will it vary by state.....meaning if you have your civil union in Vermont, will it still be honored in, say, Alabama?
Sorry - I'm rambling, but it's been on my mind lately.
Great blog - I'm really enjoying reading it!
:-)
Amy (cc-amy on LiveJournal)
It depends on where you go, and what laws are in effect. Usually, the answer is "no." There are usually subtle differences in the language and list of rights.
Also, most states are not required to recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships from other states in the same way that they're required to recognize marriage. So, if my hypothetical partner and I got a civil union in Massachusetts, and he got seriously injured while we were in Arkansas, I may not be allowed to visit him in the ICU in an Arkansas hospital without a legal battle.
Health insurance companies also differ in their treatment of such unions. Some allow it, some don't. And in the case of gay male couples, insurance premiums are often much, much higher because insurance companies see them as being at higher risk for AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
I'm glad to see that you're reading and enjoying the blog. Not very many people respond, so it's nice to get a reminder now and then that people are out there paying attention!
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