SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND CIVIL UNIONS

Why do many gays and lesbians seek marriages and unions

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Conflicting quotations:

Overview:

Many gays and lesbians are actively involved in trying to enlarge marriage to include both opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples, Their reasons are many and varied. Three are:

Some personal stories:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 1990 census, there were at least 5,194 same-sex couple households in Massachusetts. This rose by 229% to 17,099 households by the year 2000. ₁ These numbers are undoubtedly underestimates because so many same-sex couples would disguise their relationship out of fear of persecution.

New England's Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) filed a lawsuit on behalf of seven of these couples on 2001-APR-11. It is Goodrich v. Dept. of Public Health. The plaintiffs, who have been in committed relationships of seven to 32 years duration, claim that they have the constitutional right to marry under the state's constitution.  "Four of the couples are raising children; others have faced health dilemmas. All are concerned about providing security for one another and their families but they lack the automatic extensive protections available through marriage. Each couple was denied a marriage license by local officials." ₂ GLAD has placed their brief before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court online. ₃ More details.

GLAD is the same organization that successfully argued a similar case before Vermont courts. One of their lawyers, Mary Bonauto, said "It's a bread-and-butter issue as well as an emotional issue. Many of these couples have taken every known legal protection and they have still found it isn't enough....It's a matter of fairness to all citizens of the commonwealth. It's the simplest solution...Everyone knows what marriage means." ₄ She continued: "We turned to the courts because they are the body of government that enforces the Constitution and ensure that all citizens are treated equally and fairly. The action in Vermont lifted people's spirits. We felt the time had come."

According to the Rutland Herald, the lawsuit said that "Taxes, home mortgages, visits to children's teachers, health insurance, and just being able to see a hospitalized partner or child can become major issues." ₄

GLAD's brief before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court -- the highest court in the state -- was heard on 2003-MAR-4. The couples all want to marry so that society will recognize their relationship. The brief also included a brief description of some of the practical reasons why the seven couples seek the permission to marry: