Artifact #8:: "NY High Court Nixes Gay Marriage"

365Gay.com Newscenter Staff. "NY High Court Nixes Gay Marriage." 365GayMedia Inc. 2006. January 9, 2007.
http://365gay.com/Newscon06/07/070606nymarr.htm

In this article, the New York Appeals Court heard 4 combinded lawsuits involving 44 homosexual couples. They ruled that "[the New York] Constitution does not compel the recognition of marriages between members of the same sex....Whether such marriages should be recognized is a question to be addressed by the Legislature."
The reasoning behind this was:
"First, the Legislature could rationally decide that, for the welfare of children, it is more important to promote stability, and to avoid instability, in opposite-sex than in same-sex relationships....Heterosexual intercourse has a natural tendency to lead to the birth of children; homosexual intercourse does not.....The ruling also noted that the Legislature could 'rationally believe that it is better, other things being equal, for children to grow up with both a mother and a father.'"
I wonder from what doctor did they receive the information that it is better for children to have a mother and a father. And if we are using assumptions like the one above, wouldn't I be able to say that the children would be more accepting of others if they had homosexual parents?
"A poll released in April showed that a majority of people across New York State support same-sex marriage."
That means that society recognizes same-sex marraige. The "problem" is with the officials of our government.

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Artifact #7:: "Massachusetts Grants Same-Sex Couples Right to Marry"

Ramone Johnson. "Massachusetts Grants Same-Sex Couples Right to Marry." The New York Times Company. About, Inc. 2006. January 9, 2007.
http://gaylife.about.com/od/samesexmarriage/Gay_Marriage.htm

"In a historic event, the State of Massachusetts granted same-sex couples the same rights of civil marriage as heterosexuals couples. This landmark decision sets a precedent for other states within the U.S. and sets back the campaign to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage."

Ramone Johnson. "Benefits of Legalized Marriage" The New York Times Company. About, Inc. 2006. January 9, 2007.

"Access to Military Stores

Assumption of Spouse’s Pension

Bereavement Leave

Immigration

Insurance Breaks

Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner

Sick Leave to Care for Partner

Social Security Survivor Benefits

Tax Breaks

Veteran’s Discounts

Visitation of Partner in Hospital or Prison"

So this article shows all the benefits of gay marrage that was legalized in Massachusetts.

Artifact #6:: "Q. Why Gay Marriage and Not Civil Unions?"

Ramone Johnson. " Q. Why Gay Marriage and Not Civil Unions? The New York Times Company. About, Inc. 2006. January 3rd, 2007.

http://gaylife.about.com/od/samesexmarriage/f/civilmarriage.htm

"The right to marry is not just about the actual legal ceremony, but an equal right to the extensive list of legal protections awarded to married couples. These benefits given to legally married couples range from tax relief to medical decision making. Civil unions and domestic partnerships may seem like equal unions, but the protections they give to registered couples is often far less than that of marriage."

So this means that marriages have many legal protections like tax relief and who is in medical decision making.

"So, why do we need gay marriage and not just civil unions?

Here are a few reasons:
Number of Legal Benefits:

Marriage: Over 1,049 federal and state level benefits

Civil Unions: Over 300 state level benefits. *No federal protection*

Tax Relief:

Marriage: Couples can file both federal and state tax returns jointly.

Civil Unions: Couples can only file jointly in the state of civil registration.

Medical Decisions:

Marriage: Partners can make emergency medical decisions.

Civil Unions: Partners can only make medical decisions in the registered state. Partners may not be able to make decisions out of state.

Gifts:

Marriage: Partners can transfer gifts to each other without tax penalty.

Civil Unions: Partners do not pay state taxes, but are required to report federal taxes.

Death Benefits:

Marriage: In the case of a partner's death, the spouse receives any earned Social Security or veteran benefits.

Civil Unions: Partners do not receive Social Security or any other government benefits in case of death. In the case of the death of former Congressman Gerry Studds, his partner of 15 years was denied the government pension that would have gone to a legally recognized spouse.

Child/Spousal Support:

Marriage: In case of divorce, individuals may have a legally-binding financial obligation to spouses and children.

Civil Unions: In the case of dissolution , no such spousal or child benefits are guaranteed or required out of state.

Immigration Rights:

Marriage: U.S. citizens and legal residents can sponsor their spouses and family members for immigration.

Civil Unions: U.S. citizens and legal residents cannot sponsor non-legal spouses or family members."

Questions

1. Who believes that civil unions are the same as marriages?
2. What about joint savings accounts?
3. Would I settle for a civil union over marriage?

Artifact #5:: "What's the Difference between Civil Unions and and Gay Marriage?"

Kathy Belge. "What's the Difference between Civil Unions and and Gay Marriage?" About, Inc. The New York Times Company. 2006. December 20th, 2006.
http://lesbianlife.about.com/cs/wedding/a/unionvmarriage.html

"First of all, What is Marriage? When people marry, they tend to do so for reasons of love and commitment. But marriage is also a legal status, which comes with rights and responsibilities. Marriage establishes a legal kinship between you and your spouse. It is a relationship that is recognized across cultures, countries and religions.

What is a Civil Union? Civil Unions exist in only two places: Vermont and Connecticut. In 2005 California created a domestic partnership law that offers many of the same rights as civil unions. Vermont civil unions were created in 2000 to provide legal protections to gays and lesbians in relationships in that state because gay marriage is not an option. The protections do not extend beyond the border of Vermont and no federal protections are included with a Civil Union. Civil Unions offer some of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but only on a state level."

So apparently there are things out there that resemble marriages for same-sex couples. They are called "Civil Unions." Civil Unions are only legal within the state they are made. You can't move out of the state and still be "married." You must stay in the state for the Civil Union to come into play. Also, Civil Unions, however similar to marriages' legal contracts, it is not the same. There are less benefits for couples in a Civil Union.

"The General Accounting Office in 1997 released a list of 1,049 benefits and protections available to heterosexual married couples. These benefits range from federal benefits, such as survivor benefits through Social Security, sick leave to care for ailing partner, tax breaks, veterans benefits and insurance breaks. They also include things like family discounts, obtaining family insurance through your employer, visiting your spouse in the hospital and making medical decisions if your partner is unable to. Civil Unions protect some of these rights, but not all of them."

This is the reason that many gay couples want marriage and not just a Civil Union.

"The United States Constitution guarantees equality for all."

Questions::

1. What other reasons are there for homosexuals to want marriage and not a Civil Union?
2. If the Brown vs. Board of Ed ruled that seperate but equal is unconstitutional, then wouldn't Civil Unions be too?