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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?