Originally posted by guster girl
I agree with giving them the rights of same sex partners, but, I also agree with this remark made by a woman:

"My partner and I have been in a steady faithful relationship for almost 20 years. We have chosen not to marry, for our own reasons, but I am appalled that we will not be entitled to any of the legal benefits that the government is about to offer to unmarried homosexual couples. I see no difference in our situations at all. Any couple, living together in this way, should be protected by the Law."

I don't know....I guess nothing in life is supposed to be really fair.
I don't agree with that woman's reasoning at all. If her and her opposite sex partner choose not the get legally married (and the operative word here is choose), then that is a choice they are making with full knowledge of the consequences. They can choose to get married, and reap all the benefits ... as well as possibly having to face the legal consequenses of a divorce. Or they can choose to simply live together, and avoid the legal aspects. But they have a CHOICE.

Many states in the USA (I don't know about other countries) recognise "common law" marriages, as well. If you live together for a specific number of years, then you are legally "married".

The way the law stands right now, same-sex couples do not have the same choice that opposite-sex couples have - to legally marry or not. They cannot legally marry at all. Therefore, this is a small token step in that direction.

IMO, if opposite sex couples choose not to marry, then they shouldn't complain about not getting the benefits of a married couple. It's a choice they are making. Just like people who choose not to have children shouldn't complain because they can't deduct a kid on their income tax.