Technically, yes. As part of the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we are guaranteed by law the right to live life our own way. We are guaranteed by law the right to live life whichever way makes us happy.
Marriage is a legal contract and when people decide to get married, they agree to hold to society's conventions for marriage in exchange for the benefits they become entitled to.
Civil unions are the legal partnership that provides the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. Also, it is known as a marriage and, in Europe, a civil partnership. Let's not forget marriage, which also provides the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples.
Denmark was not the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. That honor falls to the Netherlands. Denmark was, however, the first country to offer a kind of registered partnership that provided some of the benefits of marriage. The purpose of the legislation was just that, to provide some of the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples.
This differs from area to area. In some areas, gay marriage has all the same rights and benefits as normal marriage. In some areas, gay marriage is not recognized, and so gay married couples have no additional rights or benefits.
Same-sex couples in New Jersey have only one alternative to marriage: discrimination. It's a very unpleasant alternative that benefits no one.
If same-sex marriage were recognized nationally, then same-sex couples would receive the same rights and benefits as other married couples do. In the United States, same-sex marriage is already recognized nationally on the federal level.
A ketubah is a marriage contract. The ketubah is like a marriage license from the state, but it is made up for Jewish couples. It has elements of a prenup in it, and the rights and obligations of the man AND the wife.
No. Denying same-sex couples the right to marry benefits no one.
There is no reason to avoid having a legal marriage before a religious ceremony. Many couples do this in order to gain the marriage benefits.
In Oklahoma, a civil union is not recognized by the state, while marriage is legally recognized and provides couples with legal rights and responsibilities. Marriage offers additional legal benefits and protections, such as inheritance rights, access to healthcare decisions, and eligibility for tax benefits, that are not available to couples in a civil union.
Same-sex couples wanted to marry. They wanted the same rights and benefits as everyone else.
LoveDesire to form a familyMonogamous commitmentDesire or need for legal benefits of marriage