Equality Issue - No Rdp For Either In Ma

[Liberal Crozier]

This is an interesting issue. On January 1, 2007, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it has been noted that domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples will end. If you want equality, they say, then you must marry by that date. They note that discordant or unmarried heterosexual couples do not have the right to access domestic partner benefits and also must wed.

On the surface, this appears to be fair and equitable. If you want equal treatment, then what is wrong with either opposite or same sex couples meeting the same criteria?

Well, for one, heterosexuals are not facing the loss of the marriage rights by a 20% constitutional convention vote in 2006 and a popular referendum in 2008. Secondly, the MA heterosexual marriage licence has both state and federal recognition and is not federally taxed at 60% additional income stream. More, the IRS requires MA same-sex couples to deny their marriage when filing federal returns based on DOMA.

I would not be as wary of the motive if not the actuality of the programme if there were not subtle and incipient malevolence in their decision. Why not wait until the referendum - a sure bet say political pundits - in November of 2008 since they also state that domestic partnership benefits are for states where same-sex marriage is illegal.

Of course, the theocons behave hypocritically. It is stock in trade. Spouse

[LGBT FLIGHT ATTENDANT]

Depending upon my rotations, my choices have been TX and NJ, and at one time in OH.

The irony is that in NJ, two men or two women in a committed partnership can adopt children, but they cannot marry each other.

OK, Spouse - interesting question about RDP. I believe that individuals who are committed and love one another and have the only state in the USA providing legal marriage status on the state level, should marry -especially if they are raising a family.

However, I think that the law has the stink of the right wing written all over it. They believe that they will have a referendum and deny ANY and ALL rights to MA residents- so if they remove RDP's before the fact, then they have accelerated their hateful agenda all that sooner.

Their political allies should just have postponed that discussion until after the November 2008 referendum.

My two cents while waiting to start a rotation to points in Asia.

[LGBT FLIGHT ATTENDANT]

Do any Soulforce MA residents know any update on this struggle?????