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Should Gays and lesbians be allowed civil unions but not marriage? The two can't compare and here is why? Civil Unions for gays and lesbians would be a step in the right direction. Of course it would only be a small step. Also the term "civil union" is a definition. In a same sex cohabitating situation, both working partners pay taxes on income, pay property taxes if they own a home, heck they even vote. I believe we need to have a much more aggressive plan for all of the citizens of our country. You see, the only difference should be in the definition if there has to be one at all.

Her name was Maureen. She was around 50 years old and just so sad it broke my heart. You see, her partner of 20 years passed away last month. I was there to paint the house which is up for sale. I was so curious to know why she was selling their house. I had hoped it wasn't a finacial decision. My worst hunch was about to be confirmed.

After some conversation over the days, she opened up and told me Patricia was stricken with Muscular Sclerosis. She looked like someone who had lost her right arm that day. There was a nice Jaguar in the driveway. "It was Pat's car" she said. "That will have to be sold soon also". Pat did very well for herself over her working years. She was ten years older than Maureen. "I am a schoolteacher" she said. "I can't afford to keep the house by myself". " She could have done it on her own but I can't". "Pat had a great pension coming soon too, but now thats gone". My pension is intact but isn't near enough and I am certainly not going to be able to retire now." The worst part is, I couldn't even see her." I came to find out, her parents wouldn't allow it in the end. How sad the story is and it goes on all the time.

The term marriage has been defined for all intensive purposes as a union between one man and one woman. This is a religious definition. If church and state are supposed to be separate as is the case, lets leave it at that. For the "purpose" of the definition, a same sex couple can not be married. But I leave you with this,
Who would you have wanted to be? A legal spouse of Pat or the "life partner"?

Learn more about this author, Mary Swaggart.
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