Gay marriage in six months (news from Mass.)

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7x6andchg: Well my position on the issue remains the same, my legal and technical writing shortcomings notwithstanding -- Scott that one's for you:

There is not one single valid reason I have heard why gay couples should not be allowed to be MARRIED. So, I say, IMHO, that it should be allowed without barrier to both heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Just my 2 cents, as always.

7x6&C

 

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Inwood: The reason to call it "Civil Union" in my opinion is to remove the word marriage from the license since the word "marriage" seems to carry a heavy relgious load for so many people.

The marriage could reside in religious ceremony. Not that this will happen. It's just one option I think should be explored. I guess we'll see what happens between now and April 2004.

 

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Tender: It is my understanding that a marriage license is issued by the state for the basic purpose of saying you are able to BE married.
ie, you are not already married, you are not mentally unstable according to their records, or related to the person you are planning to marry. That is what you fill out when applying for a license.
A certificate of marriage is acknowledgment that a marriage has been recorded by the state.
A marriage license says on the back, that any official not reporting a marriage within, i believe 30 days, is subject to fine, they are required to report a marriage. Even a religious ceremony or a marriage performed in a bathroom stall is still a marriage.
The purpose of registering the marriage is for of course benefits, name changes, or vital records.
So, if a couple marries, and does not report that marriage, they are in violation of the law.
The last marriage license i read this past Feb, in MO clearly stated that a marriage legally has to be reported. not reporting one, doesnt mean you are not considered married by the law. The thing is, there is nothing they can do of course, how would they know if it wasnt reported?
ok a bit off topic, but there it is anyway...
as far as the rest, im staying out lol!
:-/
Tender

 

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Inwood: Just telling what my lawyer friend told me. I'll probably have to have him email me an explanation that I can post.

 

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longtimelurker: My big problem is - how does it adversely affect those in opposition to the proposal of homosexual marraige?

I'm sure they aren't planning to get into a same-sex relationship themselves, so basically it is that good old-fashioned Western ideal of sticking your nose into other people's business.

OK - religious ideals... but not everyone has the same religious ideals and it is unfair to impose your beliefs on others. Marraige isn't solely a Christian, Jewish or Muslim institution - many non-believers and members of other religions get married. Some people need to accept that just because they think something doesn't give them a right to bulldoze over everyone else.

 

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Thumper_10x7_CA: There are many str8 - man and woman - couples today living together, sharing all they have, have children together but have never gotten "married." What legal rights do they have together? Common Law Marriage? If one died would the other be considered the spouse and receive all the same legal rights as a "wife" or "husband?"
I honestly don't know the answer to that. How would a str8 - man and woman - common law be different than a same sex one? hmmmmmmm
Sorry I had a point, now I'm pondering this.

 

[B_DoubleMeatWhopper]

[quote author=Thumper_10x7_CA link=board=99;num=1069176212;start=20#25 date=11/22/03 at 06:19:42]
There are many str8 - man and woman - couples today living together, sharing all they have, have children together but have never gotten "married."  What legal rights do they have together?  Common Law Marriage?  If one died would the other be considered the spouse and receive all the same legal rights as a "wife" or "husband?"  [/quote]

That depends on the state of residence. Some states recognise common law marriage; some don't. If the couple were residents of a state where common law marriage is recognised and then moved to another state where common law marriage is not, the new state would still view the couple as being married. They could still file their income tax return jointly and enjoy the same benefits as any married couple. However, if one died they would be subject to the new state's court decision of how their 'marriage' should be viewed. That sometimes gets messy in matters like inheritance.