[snakeoil]

In my state, the question of whether we should allow same sex marriage is on the ballot. Personally, I don't care one way of another. My daughter is an HR manager for a multi-site company and we had a discussion about it where I stated that I might vote for it. She brought up some facts that I hadn't considered.

1. Does an employer have to provide health benefits if the other partner is working but doesn't have health insurance?

2. Does SS have to provide SS survivor benefits even if same sex marriage is not legal in that state or ever?

3. Suppose the employer suspects that an employee is just trying to get health insurance for a cousin or friend and he asks for proof of marriage? INSTANT LAWSUIT FOR DISCRIMINATION?

4. Do the laws for inheritance remain the same for same sex marriage?

5. Who gets the IRA, pension, etc. that were started for the union? Even if he/she had been married in a heterosexual marriage before?

[BilboBagend]

The questions seem to be based on the idea that same sex couples should be treated differently than heterosexual couples, that there should be some basis for continued legal discrimination against some groups of people and denial of equal rights under the law..

[snakeoil]

I agree; but the conversation with my daughter got me to thinking.

[RealJustme]

The questions seem to be based on the idea that same sex couples should be treated differently than heterosexual couples, that there should be some basis for continued legal discrimination against some groups of people and denial of equal rights under the law..

Good point Bilbo, why should gays have additional rights that straight people don't?

[BilboBagend]

Why do realstupid people equate "equal rights" for people they dislike as "special privileges"? Is it their stupidity, their bigotry, their dishonesty, their malice, or all of the above?

[BilboBagend]

Definition in the law: State sanctioned marriage or civil union is the state registered marriage between any two people.

No special privileges presented in an honest simple law that excludes no groups.

[RealJustme]

Why do realstupid people equate "equal rights" for people they dislike as "special privileges"?

Since where are things such as affirmative action, additional punishment for hate crimes, etc equal rights? They are indeed special privileges based upon race or sexual orientation. Why is it three times the crime to attack a person because they're gay or black than it would be to attack a white straight person because you don't like their hair style?