Compared to heterosexual married couples, what rights do homosexuals miss out on in a state where gay marriage is illegal. Other than economy rights and things related to that what do they miss out on, can they still do Public Displays of Affection and do homosexual things privately and publicly? Is gay marriage illegalization simply the state stating that they don’t recognize it the same as heterosexual marriage or is there more to this?
This depends on state to state. In my state, domestic partners can receive medical benefits. And a domestic partner doesn’t have to be “same sex lovers.” They can be anyone who shares in owning or renting a home and shares a bank account.
So for example, child and elderly parent could quality. However, the time a couple must live together and share a bank account differs from state to state before they can become domestic partners.
The length of time required is the main financial hurdle.
However, sometimes getting married actually hurts a couple financially. Ever hear of the marriage penalty?
In terms of next of kin, it simply requires legal papers to put this in place (i.e. a will and a living will, etc)
Marriage makes the paperwork easy.
Now with this said, I think the real question becomes WHY does the state treat married couples differently? Is it because they love each other? No. Is it because they take care of each-other? No. Is it because the government wants to give out tax breaks? No (well at least not the Democrats!).
Why then? It’s because married people typically CREATE new life. Yes, some may adopt, but single people can potentially adopt a child too. Couples who adopt are not “going forth and multiplying,” they are filling in for the biological parents by raising the child as their own using a different kind of love. Yes, it’s very important, but the MAIN function of marriage is to create new life and to nurture that new life to adulthood.
The only way to keep the species moving forward is for a Man and Woman to make love and have a child. The love that a man and woman share creates and shapes a third person. Similar to how God the Holy Spirit proceeds from the love God the Father and God the Son have for us. The Holy Matrimony is emblematic of the Holy Trinity, which is one reason Christ elevated Christian marriage to a Sacrament.
This is why governments began offering benefits to married couples. The over focusing on love and happiness (along with premarital sex) is one of the main reasons we have too many divorces today. “Same sex marriage” completes the redefinition of marriage that “no fault divorce” started in the 1980s. With SSM legalized, marriage is no longer mainly about CREATING LIFE. It becomes about tax benefits.
I pray this makes sense.
May The Lord grant us wisdom and understanding. Amen.