Wednesday, November 12, 2008

GAY MARRIAGE: Opposing view: Don't tinker with matrimony

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/11/dont-tinker-wit.html#more

[USA Today] 12 Nov 2008--
Although Proposition 8 limits marriage in California to a man and a woman, it does not affect the status of "registered domestic partnerships." According to the California Supreme Court, these "partnerships" have substantially all the rights, privileges and benefits the state gives married couples. So far, the debate framed by opponents of Proposition 8 has been whether giving same-sex couples all these benefits without the title "marriage" is sufficient. But here's the missing question in the debate: Is it a good idea to establish domestic partnerships?

The most common misunderstanding in the debate is that domestic partnerships are needed to convey benefits. The truth is that benefits may be conveyed in a myriad of ways. Plus, legal relationships can be established to give benefits to any two persons who may not legally marry: for example, a grandmother and grandson. Benefits are a non-issue. The proof is that same-sex couples in California, even when given all the benefits of marriage, wanted more.

Clearly, something else is at stake.

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