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Marriage versus Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships, Etc.
RESOURCES:
"Marriage Makes a Word of Difference" (pdf)
In response to the question "Why can't you just call it something else?," Wolfson explains how the "clarity, security, and dignity [of the word marriage] is precious and irreplaceable."
The Legal, Medical, Economic & Social Consequences of New Jersey’s Civil Union Law
In a unanimous vote, a blue-ribbon state government commission issues its final report to Governor Corzine and the legislature, recommending they enact a marriage equality law.
Connecticut Supreme Court Ruling on Kerrigan & Mock v. Connecticut Dept. of Public Health
"Although marriage and civil unions do embody the same legal rights under our law, they are by no means equal," Justice Palmer wrote in the majority opinion, joined by Justices Flemming L. Norcott Jr., Joette Katz and Lubbie Harper. "The former is an institution of transcendent historical, cultural and social significance, whereas the latter is not."
Marriage, Registration and Dissolution by Same-Sex Couples in the U.S.
Williams Institute finds that same-sex couples prefer marriage over civil unions or domestic partnerships, and want and use new legal statuses.
California Supreme Court Ruling on In re: Marriage Cases
Chief Justice George writes, "[R]etaining the designation of marriage exclusively for opposite-sex couples and providing only a separate and distinct designation for same-sex couples may well have the effect of perpetuating a more general premise -- now emphatically rejected by this state -- that gay individuals and same-sex couples are in some respects 'second-class citizens' who may, under the law, be treated differently from, and less favorably than, heterosexual individuals or opposite-sex couples. Under these circumstances, we cannot find that retention of the traditional definition of marriage constitutes a compelling state interest. Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."
Report of the Vermont Commission on Family Recognition and Protection
The report finds civil unions do not provide the fairness and equality they were intended to offer same-sex couples and their families.
First Interim Report of the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission
The report finds New Jersey's civil union law "is not clear to the general public" and "creates a second-class status" for those who have filed for civil unions.
Civil Marriage v. Civil Unions: What’s the difference?
GLAD answers the question 'What's the difference?' by breaking down the specific differences between marriage and civil unions.
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OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED:
Civil Unions Don't Work
You can witness the failure of New Jersey's civil union law through eight hours of evidence captured on videotape, read a report on the law, and much more.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)
GLAD's marriage equality webpage contains a Comparison Chart: Marriage v. Civil Unions v. No Marital Status and Civil Marriage v. Civil Unions: What's the Difference?, discussing framing the debate of civil unions versus marriage. They also offer numerous other resources.
Love Makes
A Family
Love Makes a Family's Get Informed webpage offers a Marriage Equality Overview and Fact Sheets which address the issue of why civil unions are unequal to marriage and why marriage matters.
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Marriage Makes a Word of Difference
Portraying the struggles of couples in CT fighting for the freedom to marry.
