02-14-2011, 06:00 AM
As I alluded to, and Rob clearly stated, the civil union bill is not at all about sexual preference, It is a legal venue to give a set of legal rights.
Civil unions are a single process that gives a legal means to many rights and responsibilities between two people (these are almost impossible to neatly tie together in any other legal means other than the legal process of civil marriage). It has nothing to do with anything sexual. It can create a legal hanai situation between an older adult and a younger adult, much like adoption would for a child (would you want a true adult hanai son or daughter to have to marry an older person for the ability to guide caregiving and emergency visitation?). It can create a legal bond for two people that includes right of inheritance, and even rights to be with that other person in times of emergency and/or caregiving, something that is not easily granted in the legal venues.
Civil unions are a single process that gives a legal means to many rights and responsibilities between two people (these are almost impossible to neatly tie together in any other legal means other than the legal process of civil marriage). It has nothing to do with anything sexual. It can create a legal hanai situation between an older adult and a younger adult, much like adoption would for a child (would you want a true adult hanai son or daughter to have to marry an older person for the ability to guide caregiving and emergency visitation?). It can create a legal bond for two people that includes right of inheritance, and even rights to be with that other person in times of emergency and/or caregiving, something that is not easily granted in the legal venues.