Facts About Gay Marriage
Different types of unions
Different states, in the U.S., are considering and adopting different legal recognitions of gay couples in committed relationships. None of these definitions gives gay couples all of the over 1000 benefits the U.S. government grants to married heterosexual couples.
The main definitions being considered are:
Civil Unions At this time only the state of Virginia is recognizing civil unions for same sex couples. Their law grants the same rights and recognitions to gay couples as would normally be granted to married heterosexual couples. This would allow the couple to enjoy normal spousal rights in regards to hospital visitation, medical information and decisions, inheritance, property ownership, various insurance and government benefits, adoptions, tax laws, and more.
Domestic Partnership California, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Hawaii, and Maine, allows domestic partnership status to same sex couples. The laws vary from state to state but most require that some simple rules be met such as the partners must be over 18 and share a residence. The benefits range from California's, which offers almost all of the benefits of marriage, to Maine, where the benefits extend ONLY to health insurance!
Same Sex Marriage Same sex marriage is legal in the U.S. only in the state of Massachusetts. Same sex marriage allows lesbian and gay couples the full legal benefits of heterosexual marriage.
What are the legal reasons gay couples want to have fully recognized marriages?
There are many. From receiving the same tax breaks as married couples, to having the right to make decisions for their partner in the event of catastrophic illness or death. Rights that heterosexual people take completely for granted, such as being able to add your spouse to your health insurance policy, or to visit them in the hospital, as well as rights that most people never use, such as being able to sue for wrongful death, or to collect spousal benefits from Social Security or Workman's Compensation. Rights to inheritance, adoptions, death benefits, and shared property.
Regardless of whether you believe the homosexual lifestyle is acceptable or not morally, the real question of gay marriage boils down to whether same sex couples deserve the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. This makes it less a moral question than a legal one. Remove the emotion from the picture and it is simple to see that any couple who has lived together, depended on each other, shared income, property, the everyday ups and downs of life together deserves these rights, regardless of their sexuality or whether or not you like their lifestyle.
Gay Marriage Worldwide
Canada and Spain are considering laws legalizing same sex marriage. Australia is attempting to follow the U.S.A.'s lead in creating a nationwide ban on same sex marriage.
Same sex marriage is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. France, Britain, and Germany recognize civil unions. Altogether about 10 member countries of the EU recognize some sort of same sex marriage or civil union. In Portugal and parts of Spain same sex couples who have lived together long enough receive the same benefits as common law marriages of heterosexual couples.
About the Author
Writer, Artist and webdesigner, Summer Fey Foovay writes articles for many websites including her own at Demented-Pixie.com
No Medical Life Insurance
When applying for life insurance many life insurance companies require you to answer medical related questions and / or to undergo a medical examination as part of the application process. These medical examinations are often required as proof of your health status as given on your application...
Health - Stopping The Winter Blues
Stop the Winter Blues Do you find yourself a little sadder or depressed during the late fall and winter months. Many people suffer from the winter blues or what is commonly referred to as seasonal affective disorder. Signs of the winter blues are the following; while usually...
The Cost of ADHD - Treatment a Must for Mental, Physical and Financial Health
According to recent studies ADHD is one of the most costly health conditions in the U.S. - topped only by alcohol abuse and clearly ahead of drug abuse in terms of cost. Annually, alcohol abuse costs American families $86 billion in lost household income. The annual cost for ADHD is $77 billion...