(Mount Laurel, New Jersey) A commission established to study same-sex civil unions in New Jersey has found in its first report that civil unions create a "second-class status" for gay couples, rather than giving them equality.

The report stops short of recommending that the state allow gay marriage. But it does find that gay couples in Massachusetts, the only state that now allows same-sex marriage, do not experience some of the legal complications that those in New Jersey do.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the initial report, which was scheduled to be made public Tuesday, the first anniversary of the state's first civil unions.

State lawmakers made New Jersey the third state to offer civil unions with a law adopted in 2006 in reaction to a state Supreme Court ruling that year that found gay couples were entitled to the same legal protections as married couples.

The civil union law sought to give gay couples those benefits, but not the title of marriage. As a part of the same law, the review commission was created to look into whether it was working.

Gay rights advocates say the civil unions do not deliver and have pledged to push lawmakers to vote to allow marriage. Gov. Jon S. Corzine has said he would be willing to sign such a bill into law but doesn't want the issue to be taken up before the presidential election in November.

The activists say civil unions, in practice, do not offer the legal protections that marriage does. The commission largely agreed with them.
Gay News From 365Gay.com
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There was no need for a study. We already knew the outcome on this one....

Baby steps, right, yag?

Obtaining a civil union law was more palatable than full marriage, so we took that step.

Exposing how they do not work as intended, also a needed step, but that would have been hard to do without actually having civil unions first, to provide actual data.

Next step is pretty obvious. Legal marriage.

We will keep fighting the good fight, and we will get there.

That is if we can keep the islamic nation from taking over... /sarcasm..

Gay News From 365Gay.com

Dying Lesbian's Partner Denied Access To Her
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: February 22, 2008 - 1:00 pm ET

(Miami, Florida) Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond had planned to take their three children on a family cruise. The Olympia, Washington couple had been together 18 years and with their children were looking forward to the holiday.

But just as they were about to depart on the cruise from Miami, Florida. Pond, a healthy 39-year-old, suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with Langbehn and the children following close behind.

But once Langbehn and the children arrived at the hospital the hospital refused to accept information from her about Ponds’s medical history.

Langbehn says she was informed that she was in an antigay city and state, and she could expect to receive no information or acknowledgment as family.

A doctor finally spoke with Janice telling her that there was no chance of recovery.

Other than one five minute visit, which was orchestrated by a Catholic priest at Langbehn’s request to perform last rites, and despite the doctor’s acknowledgement that no medical reason existed to prevent visitation, neither she nor her children were allowed to see Pond until nearly eight hours after their arrival.

Soon after Pond'’s death, Langbehn tried to get her death certificate in order to get life insurance and Social Security benefits for their children. She was denied both by the State of Florida and the Dade County Medical Examiner.


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This is horrible....

For some states, the "anti-gay marriage" legislation goes above and beyond just preventing gays from marrying.
It encourages this type of crap.

I live in California. One of the more liberal states, with state legislated "equality" between straight marriages and gay domestic partnerships.
My partner is covered under my dental insurance. They have been taking my payments for both of us for 10 months.
When my partner's dentist recently submitted the first claim, I got a call that the insurance company required a copy of the domestic partnership before they would approve the claim.
I couldn't help but wonder how many married couples have to prove they are married for their insurance. That, and where was this request for proof when they were taking my payments.

I see my complaint as minor. The legislative situation we have in this state is a lot better than nothing.
But the reality is that the differences ARE there...

Yag, you made me cry posting this story. My wife and I are in the planning stages of relocating to Tampa, and it was very easy to superimpose this news story over my own life.

This is why we fight. This is why we will not stop fighting.

Sorry Forester... I am with you on this one... Do not stop fighting ever.. ;o)

Don't be sorry. I appreciate the reminder of what we are up against.
It's important that we never forget, and that we never let anyone else forget, either.

It's amazing to me to hear people say that we are treated the same...... They are blind to this fact.

If two men or two women can get married because "they love each other" and love is the only requirement for marriage...then WHY cant a man marry 10 women? Or a Woman marry 10 Men? Why do I have to hide the other woman? I can just get her pregnant, and marry HER and keep my wife, place BOTH under my health care cuz "I love them both" right?

And while we are at it, its no longer illegal for a 16 year old to have sex as long as the partner is under 18. WHY? I mean really? They can work, drive cars.. so why cant they "love" who they choose? If a teen wants to "love" a 49 year old, then whose to say that they cant "love" who they wish? And since we are on it, why not let THEM get married too?


THE VERY SAME logic in marrying gays also can be used for a man to marry multiple women. Or A Man marrying a man and a woman. Or maybe a couple marrying another couple and hey we ALL can have health care!!!! How bout not making it illegal to marry a person just for citizenship? I mean really! WHO can tell ME who i can and cannot marry right? The same logic could be used there as well.



Gay people want to make their behavior equal to "heterosexuals" (a word created by homosexuals) but there is absolutely no science to back such a thinking. But the media has told us lies. But instead of debating the idea that if Man marries man, then All bets are Off, gays will debate the final comment I made about science...watch....