What is the point to civil unions?

[A18]

There are two things I hear all the time that make no sense to me.

First is inheritance. To my knowledge, people are allowed to leave their money to whomever they want, so this is not a problem.

Second: hospital visits. It's up to the hospital. I would certainly allow anyone to specify anyone to be able to visit them.

So what are all of these "legal benefits" that civil unions offer?

[Lunar]

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Easy for family members to sue and take it away without a legal binding contract.

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Not true in many circumstances.  I'm not familiar with the exact laws so I'll let someone else roll with this one.

Surely, you've heard other benefits that are also mentioned all the time, like being treated as a single economic unit.  The government assigns different taxes to married people and insurance companies...well..hah...there's a reason why they lobby constantly against civil unions.

Much of our society is based upon these governmental contracts between two people, allowing civil unions is a way to make sure these contracts function with society the way that they were meant to.  Hospital visits are often restricted to family members and spouses for a reason, but the reason wasn't to exclude homosexual couples.

[A18]

Okay. Then the real solution to inheritance is to pass HALF DECENT laws that uphold people's REAL will.

There shouldn't be any laws regarding hospital visits. When you're taken to the hospital, you should be able to let anyone see you (but it shouldn't be legally required of the hospital).

Everyone should just pay sales tax. The single economic unit isn't really necessary unless you're actually married and have children.

What's this about insurance companies not liking civil unions?

[YRABNNRM]

No point to civil unions, just allow gay marriage.

[A18]

Dumb idea.

[John Dibble]

No point to civil unions, just allow gay marriage.

Let both gays and straights have civil unions and leave marriage to the churches.

However, I don't go for the whole civil unions for gays and marriages for straights - call it one thing.

[danwxman]

No point to civil unions, just allow gay marriage.

Let both gays and straights have civil unions and leave marriage to the churches.

However, I don't go for the whole civil unions for gays and marriages for straights - call it one thing.

I agree with this post. Leave it up to the churches!

[nclib]

The point to civil unions is incremental change.

The general public isn't ready for gay marriage yet, so civil unions are, for the moment, a step towards equality.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

No point to civil unions, just allow gay marriage.

Let both gays and straights have civil unions and leave marriage to the churches.

However, I don't go for the whole civil unions for gays and marriages for straights - call it one thing.

I agree with this post. Leave it up to the churches!

Nah, then atheists couldn't get married.  Just upgrade civil unions to equal of a marriage license, and give those away to anyone who wants them.  If two people want to call themselves married w/out a ring and some big ceremony, cool, power to ya. 

[John Dibble]

No point to civil unions, just allow gay marriage.

Let both gays and straights have civil unions and leave marriage to the churches.

However, I don't go for the whole civil unions for gays and marriages for straights - call it one thing.

I agree with this post. Leave it up to the churches!

Nah, then atheists couldn't get married.  Just upgrade civil unions to equal of a marriage license, and give those away to anyone who wants them.  If two people want to call themselves married w/out a ring and some big ceremony, cool, power to ya. 

That's what I said.