Legal rights of unmarried couples

[carolinayellowdog]

Hey,

I haven't devoted as much thought to the gay marriage issue as I should have, being in a same sex partnership. Never having wanted to marry, I found it hard to relate to those for whom this is a top priority issue. But the arguments here have been enlightening and greatly increased my sympathy for those who see this as important.

Something I've missed in the discussions so far however is the common ground shared by same sex partners and unmarried opposite sex partners. Is there any legal difference between the two, any rights opposite sex unmarried partners have that same sex unmarried partners don't? If not, it would seem that domestic partnership can get a much larger base of support than gay marriage because so many more people are affected. It seems unfortunate that events in Massachusetts and SF and the repercussions in the White House have focused attention on the marriage issue *before* domestic partnership rights have been widely established, and might make it harder to accomplish even modest gains.

While the right to marry is undoubtedly important, I'm more concerned with the right *not* to marry without suffering legal discrimination. That issue affects straights and gays, and would seem to take logical priority-- but when has politics ever unfolded logically?

Can anyone shed any light on how these issues are intertwined legally?

CYD

[tandot]

1. Legal rights of unmarried couples

I am straight and have been living with my boyfriend for a while. We would have as many rights as gays living together if something would happen (zero). However, we have the choice to get married if we really wanted to change that. My lesbian sister is living with her domestic partner, raising her two grand-children. She does not have the choice.

[SharonAnn]

2. Depends on how government (state and federal) interpret

Civil Unions vs Marriages.

1. Right to Inheritance without Inheritance taxes.

2. Right for hospital visitation and making medical decisions for partner.

3. Custody of children, adoption of partner's children.

4. State Laws governing wills and inheritance.

[adriennel]

3. interesting

my partner and I have been together 8 years and have no plans to marry. we keep finances seperate and we have no children (yet)

we do have the right to marry, but we choose not to for a variety of reasons. we do forgo certain rights and privledges by choosing not to get married.

however, we face nowhere near the social stigma gay couples do. for example, if my partner was in the hospital, I think it would be much easier for me (his GIRLfriend) to see him than if I was his boyfriend.

we get lots of nosy people asking us when we are going to get married, as if it is an unavoidable consequence of life. sometimes life is easier without it, really.