What is Same-Sex (or Gay) Marriage?
What is Same-Sex (or Gay) Marriage?
Same-sex is the legal union of two individuals of the same sex.
Why do people use the term "gay marriage"?
The term "same-sex marriage" and "gay marriage" are most often used synonymously. However, using the term "same-sex marriage" is more appropriate given that it includes both gay male and lesbian couples.
Where Gay Marriage is Legal
Same-sex marriage is legal in several countries around the world and a few states in the U.S. Read this up-to-date list of countries and U.S. states that grant legal same-sex marriage: Where is Gay Marriage Legal?
Why We Need Gay Marriage
According to the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. General Accounting Office, there are 1,138 benefits the United States government provides to legally married couples, including:
The Difference Between Gay Marriage vs. Civil Unions
Civil unions and domestic partnerships may seem like they are the same as marriage without the title, but in many states and countries that grant civil partnerships the protections and benefits given are far less than that of full marriage. The number of rights granted varies by location.
Some states, such as New Jersey, do provide registered civil union couples with the same protections as married couples. However, in most cases the numbers of rights given is less than full marriage. Here are the key differences between marriage and civil unions, including tax relief, medical decisions and immigration rights.
Planning a Gay Wedding Ceremony
Are you ready to solidify your gay partnership? Bring out the groom or bridezilla you know you have buried inside with this month-to-month gay wedding and commitment ceremony planner.
"You've decided to marry the woman [or man] of your dreams," says About.com Lesbian Life Guide, Kathy Belge. "It's time to start thinking about the wedding bands that you will each wear. Buying a wedding ring for your lesbian [or gay] wedding is nothing to be taken lightly. Remember, you could be wearing these every day for the rest of your life." Here's how to buy a wedding ring or commitment band.
Same-sex couples wishing to dissolve their marriage or civil unions should follow the same procedures in their jurisdiction as heterosexual marriages. Couples should start with this how-to guide to dissolving same-sex unions.
Same-sex is the legal union of two individuals of the same sex.
Why do people use the term "gay marriage"?
The term "same-sex marriage" and "gay marriage" are most often used synonymously. However, using the term "same-sex marriage" is more appropriate given that it includes both gay male and lesbian couples.
Where Gay Marriage is Legal
Same-sex marriage is legal in several countries around the world and a few states in the U.S. Read this up-to-date list of countries and U.S. states that grant legal same-sex marriage: Where is Gay Marriage Legal?
Why We Need Gay Marriage
According to the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. General Accounting Office, there are 1,138 benefits the United States government provides to legally married couples, including:
- Access to Military Stores
- Assumption of Spouse’s Pension
- Bereavement Leave
- Immigration
- Insurance Breaks
- Medical Decisions on Behalf of Partner
- Sick Leave to Care for Partner
- Social Security Survivor Benefits
The Difference Between Gay Marriage vs. Civil Unions
Civil unions and domestic partnerships may seem like they are the same as marriage without the title, but in many states and countries that grant civil partnerships the protections and benefits given are far less than that of full marriage. The number of rights granted varies by location.
Some states, such as New Jersey, do provide registered civil union couples with the same protections as married couples. However, in most cases the numbers of rights given is less than full marriage. Here are the key differences between marriage and civil unions, including tax relief, medical decisions and immigration rights.
Planning a Gay Wedding Ceremony
Are you ready to solidify your gay partnership? Bring out the groom or bridezilla you know you have buried inside with this month-to-month gay wedding and commitment ceremony planner.
"You've decided to marry the woman [or man] of your dreams," says About.com Lesbian Life Guide, Kathy Belge. "It's time to start thinking about the wedding bands that you will each wear. Buying a wedding ring for your lesbian [or gay] wedding is nothing to be taken lightly. Remember, you could be wearing these every day for the rest of your life." Here's how to buy a wedding ring or commitment band.
Same-sex couples wishing to dissolve their marriage or civil unions should follow the same procedures in their jurisdiction as heterosexual marriages. Couples should start with this how-to guide to dissolving same-sex unions.
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