Gay Marriage Update

How ironic that New Jersey’s Civil Union laws should take effect on
Monday, February 19th, President’s Day. Like a karmic smack in the
face to Bush and company, lets hope this sends a wake up call to
political panderers, the religious right, and other intolerant dinosaurs,
that you cannot stop the progression of human rights. Some are
celebrating in the streets, others lining up for licenses, and still others
decry the reminiscence of their separate-but-equal essence of the Jim
Crow laws; but love it or simply settle for it, New Jersey now offers
lesbians and gays their version of Gay Marriage.
The law extends over a hundred rights to lesbian and gay couples that
until now were strictly the providence of heterosexual couples. Among
these are rights regarding adoption, healthcare, insurance, medical
decisions for a partner, and child custody. New Jersey will also honor
civil unions performed in other states: Connecticut and Vermont, and
also gay marriages performed in Massachusetts. Of course,
conservative groups are already rallying their troops in an effort to join
forty-five other states in creating state constitutional amendments or
laws that will ban same-sex marriage.
Lesbians and gays should also be aware that these laws are strictly
state laws, and as such, have no bearing on federal laws such as the
social security laws; we would still not be privy to our partner’s benefits.
Also, outside of the state these benefits are null and void. So be
particular when traveling out of the state, spend your vacation money
wisely, don’t give it away to the homophobes. You might want to spend it
in Mexico.
More than 100 same-sex couples lined up to register for civil unions in
Mexico. Mexico City passed their Civil Unions law in December and it is
set to take effect this coming March. This is the second jurisdiction in
Mexico to offer civil unions, the first being the state of Coahuila. This
spicy taste of freedom seems to be spreading out among Latin America
as Mexico joins Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires, and the Brazilian
state of Rio Grande do Sul which have already legalized same-sex civil
unions.
The President of Mexico’s National Action Party, Felipe Calderon,
joined Roman Catholic Bishop Alonzo Garza in decrying the inception of
these laws, Bishop Garza declaring of the law, “This is a disgrace.”
Whatever. God bless. Let Freedom Ring.