NJ to approve same-sex civil unions!! (marriage, Article)

[robtex]

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey's gay couples are gaining all the rights and responsibilities of marriage under state law as New Jersey moves to become the third in the nation to institute civil unions and the fifth to offer some version of marriage.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine planned to sign the civil unions bill on Thursday.

yahoo news reports

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061221/...s/gay_marriage

[Green Gaia]

A step in the right direction and I'm happy for them... but it's not marriage.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Maize

A step in the right direction and I'm happy for them... but it's not marriage.

What is it (to you)that is so different between "Civil Union" and "Marriage"? - I am not being facetious, but here in England, the number of 'civil unions' is rapidly increasing amongst heterosexuals - yet they themselves call their union "Marriage".

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by michel

What is it (to you)that is so different between "Civil Union" and "Marriage"? - I am not being facetious, but here in England, the number of 'civil unions' is rapidly increasing amongst heterosexuals - yet they themselves call their union "Marriage".

Well, a couple things...

1) Civil unions do not equal marriage here. Even if they do at the state level, the federal government does not recognize civil unions and therefore, couples with a civil union still do not have access to over 1000 rights and benefits provided by the fed. govt. to married couples.

2) Separate but equal does not work. Heterosexual couples can get married, same gender couples should be allowed to as well.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Maize

Well, a couple things...

1) Civil unions do not equal marriage here. Even if they do at the state level, the federal government does not recognize civil unions and therefore, couples with a civil union still do not have access to over 1000 rights and benefits provided by the fed. govt. to married couples.

2) Separate but equal does not work. Heterosexual couples can get married, same gender couples should be allowed to as well.

Fair enough; I didn't realize that point 1 would be an issue; I agree with your point 2 which was what I was expecting you to say.

Small steps..............

[Bastet]

Hey Michel, if it helps here's another article, going into further detail about the new law and the difference between civil unions and marriages. Clicking on the links within the article will lead you to related stories.

[GeneCosta]

Slowly, but assuredly.

[MaddLlama]

You have to take things one step at a time. Better one small step in the right direction than never getting anything because it has to be 100% or nothing.