A) What are the differences?
B) If we were granted the rights to have Civil Unions would we still fight for Gay Marriages?
2007-11-16 10:58:00 · 11 answers · asked by Mr. Nobody 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
The General Accounting Office found over 1000 rights and privileges granted by the Federal government that are only available to married couples, such as inheriting social security benefits, and granting visas to a foreign spouse.
Gay Marriage, currently only in Massachusetts, does nothing to grant these rights since the Federal government does not recognize gay marriage.
Civil Unions, granted in several states, do nothing to grant these rights since the Federal government does not recognize civil unions.
Moreover, thanks to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, gay marriage or civil union granted in one state does not have to be recognized in any other. You can marry your teenaged cousin in some states and, even of another state doesn't recognize that a 14 year old can marry, they are bound to recognize the marriage as legal. Not so with gay marriages or civil unions, regardless of the age of the participants.
Unless Federal law changed and allowed the recognition of civil unions as equal to marriage and conferred upon those Civilly Unionized the same rights and privileges of marriage, we will continue to struggle for recognition.
2007-11-16 11:34:55 · answer #1 · answered by dougeebear 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even if there are no legal differences between the Civil Union and Marriage, saying that the two are “equal but different” is not a valid argument. If marriage was not perceived as somehow superior to the civil union, then no one would fight against the right for gay people to get married. There wouldn’t be any need to call it a civil union with all the necessary additional legality – it would be simpler just to extend the right to marry out to same sex couples. The fact that people do resist the idea of gay marriage propose this “compromise” of civil unions is the very reason we need to fight to be treated equally.
2007-11-16 11:24:01 · answer #2 · answered by thatgaybloke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the legal aspects of civil union are identical, then I think that is sufficient for now. After all, marriage, as a religious institution fails half the time, so why try to strive for a societal failure?
On the legal side, though, the rights are extremely important and the fight must continue. It isn't right to subject a minority to second class citizenship, in fact it is un-american (see the declaration of independence where it talks about the pursuit of happiness, etc.)
2007-11-16 11:11:41 · answer #3 · answered by Stache Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A civil union would in fact make you a second class citizen....How long do we have to continue to fight for basic rights....even before slavery was abolished marriage was allowed....what if two people of different colours were told they could not marry but could have a civil union....What if your child were told they couldn't attend University...only college....that only "normal" people could walk upright....please...lets get real marriage is a basic human right who has the right to say who we can marry and what we are allowed to call it??? Finally here in Canada we allow marriage for same sex...not civil unions .
2007-11-16 14:46:20 · answer #4 · answered by JOHN P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A. Civil Union is "separate but equal" (in other words, discriminatory and NOT equal). It turns gay Americans into second-class citizens.
B. Yes, we would still fight for marriage equality for the above reason.
2007-11-16 11:08:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The issue is about Equality. In my opinion, the term marriage should not have any legal status at all, it should be strictly a religious practice. For legal status for divorce, taxes, spousal benefits and the like, we should have civil unions, not just for the gay/lesbian world but for everyone, straights included. That would be a clear sepertion of church and state and be equal to all.
2007-11-16 16:47:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no difference. It's totally silly some think civil unions are fine but gay marriage is 'evil'.
2007-11-16 11:01:45 · answer #7 · answered by American Spirit 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This has already been established:
"Separate but Equal is NEVER Equal"
Warren Supreme court decision in Brown vs. The Board of Education.
2007-11-16 12:40:25 · answer #8 · answered by DEATH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
marriage means you have the right to file jointly as a married couple in taxes and you have the right to collect upon death thier ssa benfits
2007-11-16 20:19:30 · answer #9 · answered by Wizard Alex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It says second-class citizen.
2007-11-16 11:01:21 · answer #10 · answered by Zach 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋