The NJ legislature, under an order from the NJ Supreme Court created civil unions for gays and lesbians, chosing not to use the word marriage. Those in a civil union "shall have all of the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under law, whether they derive from statute, administrative or court rule, public policy, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage" according to the law.
GLBT groups are criticizing the bill as a separate but equal policy that does not require non-governmental agencies (insurance companies, workplaces, housing units, etc) to recognize the unions; they could maintain that only 'married' couples are able to access services. They cite the domestic partnter registry, which NJ and several other states had, as being similar and highly problematic. Many registered couples were not acknowledged as such by privately held companies.
All that remains is for the governer of NJ to sign the bill into law. Vermont and Connecticut also have Civil Unions for gay couples; Massachusetts is the only state to have gay 'marriage'. A UCLA study predicted that if NJ had offered gay marriage, it would have seen a $100 million bump in state revenue from individuals traveling there for weddings.
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Comments: 21
I think your response, with some self-reflection, can also be instructive. You're sexual orientation runs pretty deep, it seems. It's similar for most people, I'd imagine. Now imagine yourself in a world where to openly declare what your interest in women would mean that people called you a degenerate, a sicko, a sinner, and a person shut out from God. Where people told you you've chosen not to be attracted to men's hairy backsides, you were screwed up as a kid, maybe abused by a woman, or overly attached to your father, or just spiting God's plan for you. You've met a woman with whom you've made significant commitments, with whom, despite the many obstacles, you've fallen in love with, with whom you want to make a life with. Now imagine that the state tells you that you can't because some people think it's wrong. That you'd only be spreading your filthy sickness. That if you prayed enough, and wanted to enough, and were a strong enough person, you could be normal and find those furry behinds amazingly attractive and desirable and your unnatural wants would simply fade away.
Preston
What, exactly, do you tell gays to "get over"?
I would further argue that men's lack of ability to be complimentary of each other is another byproduct of homophobia. It deforms the realtionships that might be construed as "gay" by society, limiting the ability of men to relate to each other. If two men weren't worried about seeming gay, they might be able to compliment each other without it being awkward or odd.
I'm not really explaining it well, I fear, but makes me think I can work up the idea in a longer article.
I understand your comments, I just disagree. Masculinity and femininity is very socially defined. What is masculine in one country or culture is not in another. Even within one culture it can change. The flute, today, is a fairly feminine instrument, as far as music goes. Not too many boys would want to play the flute. But in the past, only men played the flute b/c it was seen as unseemly for a women to play something that looked so phallic.
:)
I believe Mitt Romney is putting "ban gay marriage" on the ballot to overturn the existing law in his bid for the primaries; got that from my sister who lives in MA. It won't work ultimately, but he doesn't care. All's fair in love, war and politics.
I had looked up his real name before. I don't know why he would just call himself Will instead of Mitt. Mitt's probably a family name but it's still reminds me of a big leather glove. Whatever, he's still fuckin' crazy with the gay marriage thing.