Way to go, Vermont!

[Suki Wingy]

Vermont has just legalized same sex marriage! It's a step toward the future!

[CathyBogart]

I saw this earlier....How awesome! I'm very excited.

[blue]

Personally I dont see why a gay or straight couple would want a government stamp on their relationship.

[Karen]

The government stamp on their relationship gives them more equal rights to things like visiting each other in the hospital, inheritance issues, benefits and coverage.

That, as well as the emotional satisfaction of feeling like full citizens.

I am glad Vermont is joining us!

[blue]

The government stamp on their relationship gives them more equal rights to things like visiting each other in the hospital, inheritance issues, benefits and coverage.

That, as well as the emotional satisfaction of feeling like full citizens.

I am glad Vermont is joining us!

So it isnt about marriage then. Straight or gay, couples shouldnt have any more rights or penalties then gay or straight single citizens.

[Karen]

So it isnt about marriage then. Straight or gay, couples shouldnt have any more rights or penalties then gay or straight single citizens.

They don't have more rights, a married couple is just different in the eyes of the law. To use just one example, if you are single, there's no obvious answer as to who would inherit your estate if you died suddenly with no will, and you have more than one immediate relative.

Another example is, if you were single and (heaven forbid) critically injured and put on machines, there's no one who can stand up, legally, and say "He would not want that, there's no chance for recovery, pull the plug." Then, instead of the decision being made by someone you know, and with whom you have discussed such issues, it gets decided by a court, or a doctor, or an administrator ...

As a single person, you should have a will, and a designated Power of Attorney assigned to someone just in case these things happen.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Straight or gay, couples shouldnt have any more rights or penalties then gay or straight single citizens.

It is not about MORE ....it is about DIFFERENT.

When two people marry they acquire DIFFERENT rights and obligations than a single person.

If you don't want those DIFFERENT rights and obligations it is very simple.

Don't get married.

But don't deny those DIFFERENT rights and obligations to others who do want them.

[Marigold2]

For many couples the legal aspect goes into play and is very important, for others who are finanically secure and not worried about their health as of now it's about love, and being able to stand up in front of their family & friends and declaring this is the person who completes me. Just like a man and a woman have a need/desire to marry so do gay couples. Also if they want to adopt a child down the road they can adopt as a married couple and perhaps this will make it easier for them. Frankly I don't see why anyone has the right to tell two gay people they can't be married, it's no ones business but their own.

The government stamp on their relationship gives them more equal rights to things like visiting each other in the hospital, inheritance issues, benefits and coverage.

That, as well as the emotional satisfaction of feeling like full citizens.

I am glad Vermont is joining us!

[aTailOf2Kitties]

Just like a man and a woman have a need/desire to marry so do gay couples.

I don't have a need or a desire to get married. It's soooooo much easier to "shack up" long term, LOL

I think it's funny how many straight couples are desperately trying to get OUT of a marriage, yet gay couples want to get INTO one.