What’s the Big Diff? Civil Unions VS Marriage

Berlin Sylvestre & Rob Barger

 “Why would anyone want to be a part of the heteronormative institution of marriage?” I (Berlin) have been asked, mostly by teeth-gnashing counterparts who are (between us, pretty radical about social issues sometimes) never radical about social issues ever. “I’ll just have a civil union, thank-you-very-muccccch.” (You totally have that friend, too.)

“Well, they’re not the same thing,” I begin, but I don’t think that’s ever their point anyway. So let’s break it down right quick, so the next time someone asks, I can pull up OutFrontOnline.com (gorgeous plug, I know) and shut them up long enough for me to mix another cocktail.

Civil Unions DO:

• Create a legally recognizable union between two people in states where they’re legal.

• Guarantee you’ll be able to make medical decisions for your partner if he or she is unconscious even if you are unable to show the hospital staff an executed power of attorney.

• Create a second class citizenship for same-sex couples.

Civil Unions DON’T:

• Create a legally recognizable relationship outside the state your union took place.

• Allow for federal protections such as social security benefits, the right to file joint federal tax returns, the federal exemption from inheritance tax, and many other federal protections.

If legalized, same-sex marriage — heretofore referred to as marriage — would behave as follows:

Marriage WILL:

• Allow for all federal protections and rights.

• Be recognizable in any state that allows same-sex marriage.

• Be more difficult to dissolve than civil unions.

Marriage WILL NOT:

• Be recognized in states without same-sex marriage ability.

• Be available to same-sex couples until the rights have been won in legal battles or voting.

But why stop there? Get the lowdown from the equality titans fighting our good fight in the 10^th Circuit Court at RestoreOurHumanity.org. After you get pumped and ready to help, head over to One-Colorado.org and join the movement.