NOW - NEW YORK STATE SUPPORT MEMO
A-01823 (Glick) - Changes the Term "marriage" to "civil union"
March 2005
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The National Organization for Women - New York State, Inc. supports an amendment to the domestic relations law that changes the term “marriage” to the term “civil union.” This legislation ensures the same responsibilities and benefits are available equally to same sex and opposite sex couples, a vital step in advancing equality for all persons.
All couples, lesbian and gay and heterosexual, deserve equal legal protection under the law. This can only be achieved if all couples have access to the same exact civil institutions, not similar ones with significantly fewer benefits. Currently, same-sex couples in committed relationships are likely to pay higher taxes than opposite-sex married couples. They are denied healthcare, disability, military and other benefits afforded to heterosexual couples. Same-sex couples are also denied family leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
The term “marriage” often connotes a religious ceremony that, while highly meaningful to some members of society, does not accurately reflect the government’s responsibility to equally protect all citizens. While religious institutions may selectively choose which couples they perform a marriage ceremony for, the government must not discriminate in awarding benefits to same-sex or opposite-sex couples. Of course, any couple granted a civil union may also choose to solemnize their relationship through their religious institution.
We are in the midst of an important civil rights moment in which we must acknowledge that same-sex couples are being treated as second-class citizens. This is unacceptable.
The National Organization for Women - New York State, Inc. strongly urges the NYS Legislature to support this legislation and afford all couples equal protection and benefits under the law.
Marcia A. Pappas, President, NOW-NYS, Inc.
Lori Gardner, Executive VP
Barbara Kirkpatrick, Legislative Vice President
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