Legal Protection for Same-Sex Couples
Has anyone considered a compromise solution to the issue of legalization of same-sex marriages? As an attorney who has spent years conducting research on the advantages and disadvantages of marriage vs. living together, my viewpoint is a legal one, unobscured by religious or moral questions. Legal recognition of a status for these couples is called for, as is their current need for self-help in making the laws work for them while they are still in flux. Traditionally and legally, marriage has been defined as a union of a man and woman. Changing that definition is at the heart of the problem. Marriage, throughout history, has had more to do with procreation than romantic love or legal convenience. This legal definition and the issue of procreation have both been used to bolster the denial of the right of same-sex marriage. What same-sex couples need, and should have, is the ability to form a legal relationship. The semantics used to describe this relationship should not matter as much as the rights and duties arising from it. Denial of these rights is the discrimination same-sex couples decry. We should not forget that only during the last generation was the denial of the right of marriage to members of different races overturned. The law is meant to serve the needs of the members of society - including same-sex couples. My compromise solution is a law which allows same-sex couples the right to a legal relationship without the hot-button title of "marriage." With a simple change of terms, these couples could become legal "domestic partners" which confer the same rights and duties of their state's marriage contract. Similar licensing statutes could be enacted, along with the inevitable relationship dissolution laws. The marriage contract from any state comes with built-in advantages and disadvantages. Married couples are bestowed with automatic inheritance rights. They enjoy the right to sue for loss of consortium if a third party injures their spouse, denying them services and companionship. Because a married couples has rights, they cannot be denied hospital visitation or the right to make medical decisions for each other. Employers often offer medical coverage and benefits to spouses of employees. Why should same-sex couples be denied these benefits? Couples who live together do have flexibility to create their own rights and duties vis-a-vis each other. A same-sex couple can execute wills, written cohabitation agreements, durable powers of attorney for health care (giving a partner the right to hospital visitation and the right to make medical decisions in the event of an emergency) and, with careful financial awareness, create many of the advantages of marriage. The question of medical insurance and benefits should be balanced against the "marriage penalty tax," which still exists. The denial of the choice to same-sex couples, however, is the true discrimination. Same-sex couples should have the option of forming a legal relationship under the law, no matter what title it is given. About The Author Johnette Duff is the author of The Spousal Equivalent Handbook: a legal and financial guide to living together, The Marriage Handbook: a legal and financial guide to your spousal rights, and Love After 50: the complete legal and financial guide. Nationally, she has appeared on Today, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning and in The Wall Street Journal, Self, Smart Money, New Woman and Modern Maturity promoting information on love and the law. Ms. Duff has recently opened a web site titled, love and the law. info@loveandthelaw.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Yoga therapy for stressed out motormenTimes of India, India - 2 hours agoThe railways have now tied up with an NGO to study the effect of regular yoga on the health of stressed out motormen. Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute ... |
Yoga with a kickKOLD-TV, AZ - 8 hours agoBy Jenny Anchondo - email If you're tight and lack overall flexibility, the last thing you should attempt is yoga, right? Wrong. ... |
Hatha yoga at Rowley Public LibraryIpswich Chronicle, USA - 2 hours agoThe Rowley Public Library offers a mixed level Hatha yoga class for adults of all fitness levels Wednesdays Sept. 3-Oct. 29, 5:30-6:45 pm, in the Community ... |
Yoga at the River’s Edge continuesMarshfield Mariner, USA - 6 hours agoNorth and South Rivers Watershed Association’s Yoga at the River’s Edge series will continue through Sept. 20. Weekly classes, taught by certified yoga ... |
The conventions: Good for a laughBoston Globe, United States - 57 minutes agoI kept my eyes glued to Sara Avant Stover's pieces on the Yoga Journal website, where she has written on subjects like "The DNC's Challenge: Can You Walk ... |
Martha's Vineyard Magazine |
Finding your yogaMartha's Vineyard Magazine, MA - 16 hours agoJust like Goldilocks trying to find the right porridge and bed, this writer had to sample different styles of yoga before settling into a groove that worked ... |
Princess Cruises unveils yoga for kidsUSA Today - Aug 28, 2008Still, yoga for kids? That's the Big New Thing this week at Princess Cruises, which announced it is rolling out what it bills as the industry's first yoga ... |
Yoga - Google News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Am I Asexual?
There is a huge sexual movement going on. It's not about gay pride.
May 17: A Dubious Anniversary
The month of May, May 17 to be exact, marks the one-year anniversary of same-sex "marriage" in Massachusetts. I wonder how many Americans knew that or even cared.
Natural Ways To Boost Your Sexual Power In Autumn
If your sexual tempo is decreased after sunny summer days do not be anxious! This is totally normal. You will find a few recommendations and a special formula for men to overcome these hard days on the next lines.
Genital Warts: A Common Sexually Transmitted Disease
Genital warts are also called condylomata acuminata or venereal warts. They are the most easily recognized sign of genital human papilloma virus infection.
Sex: You Dont Have a God-Given Right to Sexual Expression
This article isn't about homosexuality.I know you thought it was going to be when you read the title.
Spice it Up! Variety in the Swinging Lifestyle
Are you on the swinging scene and only seeking that blonde haired blue eyed, 110 pound bronze beauty? That 225 pound muscle man with a chest to die for?Seek and ye shall find but never limit your options!Variety is the spice of the lifestyle, just as it is in life. Be open minded and unafraid to venture out to try something new.
Sex is a Serious Thing!
Most of the questions asked to sexual health experts are about men's early ejaculations and women's orgasm troubles. When you read this you may say: It's normal, if man is coming off quickly, woman couldn't have an orgasm! But if you really think for a few seconds, surprisingly, you won't see any relation between these two events.
If The Fire Is Gone From Your Sex Life
If the fire is gone from your sex life, one or both of you better get more creative about your sexual fantasies. Here are some things you can do:Surprise him or her with a picnic at work or a rendezvous call from a motel after work.
Gay Zombie Hunters Dilemma
The title of this article may lead you to believe that I hunt gay zombies. This is untrue, mostly because zombies who were once gay humans are now too gross to still be considered 'gay'.
The Truth About Dogs and Dogs
I have come to the conclusion in my short time on this earth, that there are far to many people that ignore the most important things in life. Most certainly this happens in the gay community where almost all actions are taken to extremes.
Furvert: Part 1 in an Investigative Series of Obscure Sexual Fetishes
Borne of the science fiction and fantasy fan scene, the subculture of Furry fandom is a thriving genre in the fetish world.We're not talking here of 'plushies', those who fetishise stuffed 'plush' animals like teddy bears.
Voluntary Ejaculation
A few fortunate, and likely quite popular men, have learned to make ejaculation voluntary. This means they can last a long time and come when they want to.
Finding the G-spot
The G-spot is a highly erogenous zone inside the vagina. It is located behind the pubic bone within the front wall of the vagina, about two to three inches deep.
Freeing the Female Orgasm
Women's capacity for orgasm is awesome. They can come over and over again, and still be ready for more! This capacity seems almost limitless.
Relationships -- How Information Kills Passion and Underminds Sexual Health
Information that kills relationships refers to an outcome that happens when you just learn terms and facts without a meaningful context -- it is the passive reception of information.I call this content-focused learning and it kills passion in the bedroom and neuters any self-improvement effort.
Leather Lingerie Not Just For B&D
Leather lingerie, once thought of as just for the bondage and discipline hard core sexes, is rapidly becoming not just a fashion statement, but is finding it's way into the milder side of sexual play of even the most conservative.Leather lingerie is considered by most as form of sexual role-play, with a sense of submission, power and control of your partner.
Boyfriend Hunting: Where the Men Are
IntroductionSo you're on the prowl for a boyfriend, hunting for Mr. Right to potentially build a lasting and fulfilling relationship? You feel like you've got your head on straight, your life is in order, and you're ready and available for love.
Sex Toys - History and Benefits
HISTORY OF SEX TOYSSex toys have been used for thousands of years and many believe they had first originated from Asia. However, it was not until the ancient Greece time that sex toys such as dildos and other phallic objects were first made popular.
A Vision of a New Morality
When looking at society, and seeing the constant hypocrisies, the inconsistencies, the lies, a person can be inclined only towards two mindsets. They will go along with what they see, they will believe what they are told, they will find it awkward that anyone could challenge things the way they are.
The Infamous Rabbit Vibrators
Let's Face it if I mention Rabbit Vibrator you know what I am talking about and needs little introduction but few realise the workings behind this orgasmic sex toy.A rabbit vibrator is essentially a standard vibrator.
|
