Post G - Civil Unions

Illinois has recently begun recognizing same-sex 'civil unions.' Obviously there is tons to be said on this issue, so let's just get to it. 

Rob says -  

Of course Illinois should recognize civil unions. That's the only role that government should play in our relationships anyway; the civic role. From the time I became aware of the phrase and the idea of a civil union, I’ve thought a lot about what exactly that is and what it should mean. 

To me it means a union that is recognized by the authoritative and regulative entity in our lives, our government. It means that two adults have consented and signed that they agree to function as a single entity in familial affairs. It means that those two adults agree to support and represent each other in financial and many legal matters.  

That's all. That's the extent of it. A civil union is an acknowledgment and nothing more. Given my desire to see a more restrained and limited role, I think the State needs to ramp-up civil unions. Extend them to every citizen of the state.  

I think the State should acknowledge the marriage of a man and a woman as a civil union, as well. If they get married by a religious official in a religious setting and choose to call themselves "married," that's outstanding. The State, however, shouldn't care whether vows were exchanged in front of an official as much as it should care that the papers are in order and that no fraud is being perpetrated.  

Beyond that, government needs to begin easing away from classifying its citizens in any way that doesn't impact services. Same-sex couples don't use different roads, bathe in different water, or send different mail just because they're married.

My concern is that we're going to now have news stories about same-sex divorce rates, or same-sex neighborhoods. I don't mind if a determined citizen wants to sort through records or canvass neighborhoods to compile information. The government shouldn't make it easy to discriminate against any of its citizens.   

And still - if you pay your dues, you should enjoy all the benefits of the club. I pay taxes because I expect my family to have access to anything and everything our government offers. Why should that be different for anyone else?  

Katie Says -  

Rob and I are fully in agreement on this one. 

I believe that our current system is one of separate but equal, which we already figured out doesn't work so well. Both straight people and homosexuals should be allowed the exact same rights, and it should be called the same thing. I would never advocate forcing private churches to marry homosexuals, but I do expect every citizen to be provided equal rights by the government.   

Whoa! Slow down, there, Katie!

Tell us why we're wrong in the comments!