Outoftheorg,
While I appreciate your thought into the matter, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you on some of your statements:
All of the civil rights that a marriage has can be given to a homosexual couple also. A well written will can not be overroade by family connections. It provides all the rights to property that a marriage does and more.
There are so many documented examples of a gay person's will being overriden by his family, that I don't want to chance it. Sure, I'm sure some gay men and lesbians have been lucky and had their partner's will upheld, but why would I want to chance that my partner would be that lucky? My parents would never do this, but what about my sister or cousins?
A power of attorney will give you rights just like a wife or husband has in many situations.
Many situations... not all. When my partner was rushed to the hospital in 2003, they didn't care if I was his Power of Attorney, they only cared if I was family. I lied, and of course was shown there right away, but I shouldn't have had to. I guess eventually, after I presented the document, I could have seen him in the emergency room, but who has that kind of time. It's not really something you carry on you at all times.
A marriage has always referred to one male and one woman and the expectance of children from this marriage. These children are legally and by relation members of the family and their ancestors.
So, does that mean that a husband and wife who don't have/or want children should not be married? I've never understood this argument.
Homosexuals can have all the rights of married people if they just go after the needed legal documents now.
I'll concede your point, but I'd like to make one change... Homosexuals can have SOME of the rights of married people, if they don't mind a watered down version that could be taken away at any time, if they just go after the needed legal documents now.
I honestly do appreciate the fact that you have put thought into your comment. Many people just spout off some scriptures and haven't thought about it at all. I would also like to give you some of the 'difficulties' that we have to face:
-My partner and I have to file seperate tax returns every year. We both have to file at the higher single rate.
-My partner and I have insurance through my work because I am fortunate enough to work for a company that offers domestic partner benefits. For my straight, married coworker to get her husband insurance, all she had to do was put his name down. No questions were asked. For me to get insurance for mine. I had to call and request a special form be sent to me. Then I had to compile FOUR different types of documentation proving we had a domestic partnership. Then I had to have the form notarized and sent back to the home office with the documents they requested. Then I had to agree to pay taxes on the premiums because it was domestic partner benefits and was not eligible for a before-tax deduction. AND, even with all of this I was GRATEFUL that I worked for a progressive company so my partner could have life, health, dental and vision insurance.
-If/when I die, my partner will not be able to collect social security benefits, no matter what legal documents we have.
-Twice a year, when I renew my tags at the DMV, I have to ignore the stares of the ladies behind the counter when they bring up our car registration, see both of our names on the title and then are paid with a check from our joint account. Granted, this is just a mere annoyance, but none the less, it's something gay men and lesbians shouldn't have to deal with.
You can even find or make up another descriptive name to use in place of marriage. Marriage is with a man and a woman. Find another name for homosexual unions and have at it.
Gradually all the rights you have access to already will grow together under this new name as time goes by just as it has with the name "marriage".
Again, I do appreciate your comments and hope that soon, very soon, enough people will agree with your statement and let gay men and lesbians have a form of protection identical to marriage.
CountryGuy: Who will celebrate seven years together with his husband and soulmate in September.
