Gay-relationship debates hit a crucial turn

[Jazzy]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -A flurry of activity in efforts to legally recognize gay relationships or ban same-sex marriage is reminding advocates that even though polls indicate growing acceptance, the debate is far from settled.



Rhode Island is pondering a proposal to allow civil unions, a compromise that arose after it became clear there weren't enough votes to aim for marriage. Minnesota lawmakers voted to put a constitutional marriage ban on the ballot, and the mayor of New York spoke out strongly in favor of same-sex marriage as talks continue in his state.



In Rhode Island, gay marriage advocates say they're unsatisfied with the proposal to offer civil unions, which provide many of the same legal benefits of marriage without calling it that.



There's a special status when you say `my wife,' and civil unions don't give that, said Annie Cronin-Silva, of West Warwick, who married a woman in neighboring Massachusetts in 2008. But things are changing. It's coming. It's just so hard to wait.



Gay marriage is allowed in Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and the District of Columbia. Several other states offer civil unions or domestic partnerships instead. Illinois, Delaware and Hawaii enacted civil unions this year. The debate continues to rage in several other states.



New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday warned lawmakers in his state that they will be remembered as civil rights obstructionists if they block attempts to pass gay marriage. Opponents have committed $1.5 million to defeat the efforts, matching the amount raised by supporters.

Full article: http://www.aolnews.com/story/gay-relationship-debates-hit-a-crucial/1826762/

 

[Evil Eye]

...still?

Someone drag these people, kicking and screaming, into the century of the Fruitbat already!