STILL NOT FIRST-CLASS CITIZENS: New Jersey Star-Ledger editorial

Starting Saturday, same-sex couples in New Jersey will no longer be third-class citizens; they'll gain the rank of second-class citizens with some -- but not all -- the privileges of first-class citizenship.

That's when the state's domestic partnership act takes effect. It provides a number of benefits to gay and lesbian couples and unmarried heterosexual couples over 62 similar to those enjoyed by married couples, such as the power to make medical decisions on behalf of a spouse and the ability to file a joint state income tax return with the ensuing benefits and to inherit property from a partner without paying inheritance taxes. ...

While domestic partnership is a step up, it's not cause for wild celebrations. We still have a system that says some relationships deserve more rights than others. The new law does not require private employers to offer same-sex couples health insurance benefits; there's no provision for distribution of property or alimony if a couple breaks up; couples have no protection under federal law.

The next step is for same-sex couples to gain all the rights and benefits accorded to opposite-sex couples by being allowed to marry. Just like all other first-class citizens.

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posted by Eve at 5:35 PM VOTE

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