I’m probably just feeding a troll here, but … Hospital visits? Hospital visits? Seriously, there are significant reasons for a same-sex couple to want legal parity. If they’ve been together any length of time and own a home, there’s avoiding a crippling property tax reassessment when one dies (one of my own small government awakening moments was realizing that California’s Prop 13 tax limits was saving my behind on property taxes). Inheritance of community property, and death tax issues. Presumption and enforcement of durable power of attorney (not just for hospital visits).
Or being able to file income tax returns jointly – there’s a T.E.A. party issue for you. What couple wouldn’t want that? (Well, depending on how the tax bite plays out …)
Survivor’s benefits: I once got to attend a union organizer’s party at which someone gave an award to the ILWU (Longshoremen’s Union) for voting to pay survivor’s benefits to domestic partners. The case that prompted the decision was that of a good 35-year union man … after his bereaved partner had lost their house during the stretch before they voted him survivor’s benefits.
Occam’s Razor says same-sex couples really are looking to provide for each other and have parity in terms of benefits. So does basic Christian charity, which was completely absent from RHJunior’s very snarky remark.
I think RHJunior and those who cry “hate speech” totally deserve each other.
