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Friday, September 30, 2005

Mazel Tov, Doc and DJ!

October 1, 2005, Civil Union Law Goes Into Effect


I’m happy to say that tomorrow, our best friends Doc and DJ will be legally recognized as a couple in a civil union ceremony performed at their home. I wish I could say they were getting married, but it appears that some people haven’t evolved enough yet to get over the “man plus woman” equals marriage concept.

Look in a dictionary and you’ll see this definition for marriage also: intimate or close union --the marriage of painting and poetry. If poetry and painting can be married, you’d think two committed loving partners would be able to be married too. Who cares what genitalia they have? Why such a prurient interest?

The new Connecticut law that goes into effect tomorrow, October 1st, allows them to enjoy the rights and responsibilities of this limited “union” that is still about 1000 rights short of what an opposite sex couple receives when they say “I do.”

If my friends lived in Canada or Spain or even Massachusetts, they could be legally married.

(After 6000 marriages have been performed for same sex partners in Massachusetts, the state has managed to continue on and heterosexual marriages have not been affected in the least.)

If they lived in Vermont, they could have had a civil union since July 1, 2000. If they lived in New Jersey, they could have a “domestic partnership.”

Words, semantics, rhetoric don’t change a thing.

These two men love each other and have been together for years. They have supported each other, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. They have built a family together and a warm loving home.

It’s not good enough, but at least it’s some recognition of their love and commitment, that they will be granted a civil union. So we will celebrate with them tomorrow: a short ceremony by a JP and breakfast.

Then husband and I will return home and they will go about their day.

The tents, the music, the photographer, the caterer will all have to wait until their real wedding -- the one that is recognized by all states and the federal government.

That’s the day we’ll really celebrate.

12 Comments:

Blogger Steve said...

Another reason I am proud of my country.

Canada rocks!

But seriously, I really do not get the people who are opposed by same sex marriage.

It boggles the mind.

And don't let me get started on same sex-couples trying for an adoption...

8:18 AM  
Blogger WILLIAM said...

Congratulations to the couple.

8:34 AM  
Blogger kristen said...

Hurray!! Now if NJ would do the same......

I'm with John Doe Jr., Canada does rock!! I love that country and we hope to retire there someday.

8:41 AM  
Blogger mary bishop said...

JDJ - I'm proud of Canada too and being part Canadian it makes me twice as happy.

As for adoption, it makes me crazy when I think there are loving homes and needy kids but they can't get together...

William, thanks for your congratulations. I will print out the comments for my friends as I know it will make them happy to know others are happy for them.

Acumama - one day a voice of reason is going to understand that people of the same sex do love each other and want all the rights and responsibilities that marriage entails. It will happen. We can't have this hodgepodge of laws that change from state to state...ridiculous.

9:20 AM  
Blogger Weetzie said...

Cheers to the happy couple!

9:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congrats from a conservative. Under the constitution, all states must recognize marriage, regardless of where the ceremony was performed...full faith and credit.
Does that adhere to the different 'phrasings' of marriage? I wonder if thats why they call it something different?
I dont know much about this area of law, but I do know that if your that committed to a person and have that love unconditionally, and want to marry...who has the right to tell you NO? Hopefully, there will come a time where people dont fear same-sex marriages and carry any stereotypical thoughts on them. People are people, get with the program!

*ok, off my soapbox now. Sorry.

12:41 PM  
Blogger mary bishop said...

Thanks Weetzie...


Lawbrat - you bring something up that I don't understand. You said: Under the constitution, all states must recognize marriage, regardless of where the ceremony was performed...

That's what I thought, yet if you marry in Mass. and it is legal and called marriage, not civil union, it is not recognized in other states...maddening! It makes no sense and goes against the constitution as far as I can see.

4:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you marry in Mass, its NOT recognized in other states? HOW? Under article IV of the Constitution,(section 1) Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state. Congress may by general laws prescribe the Manner in which such asct, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. (section 2): The citizens of each state shall be entitled to ALL privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.
****
Basically, you get married in one state, its recognized in all. Drivers licence, recognized in all. Ect. WTF that Mass marriage is NOT recognized? I dont get it. Crazy.

12:18 PM  
Blogger mary bishop said...

Lawbrat, mind boggling isn't it? Like you, my husband can't fathom why this is allowed...

Back from the ceremony that was just wonderful...

1:08 PM  
Blogger jac said...

Why do you have differant laws for marriage in each state, MB ? You should have a common one.

12:46 AM  
Blogger mary bishop said...

Thanks Doc, I'll pass on all the good wishes.

Jac - lawbrat and echrai will have to answer that question. I think that very soon someone will have to reconsider the fact that it is ludicrous to have states ignoring other state laws.

8:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Best wishes to the happy couple. Good for them!

4:50 PM  

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