Some people are convinced that Proposition 8 (the California measure that limits marriage to one man and one woman) doesn't take away any rights from the LGBT community.
They claim that through things like a strong will, power of attorney, and more, an LGBT couple can have the same rights as a straight, married couple.
Let's take a look at how equal these scenarios are.
Situation One: A Man and Woman Want to Marry
Man: "Hi, woman. Let's marry."
Woman: "Okay. Let's go to the court house and get that done right now."
Man: "One simple document. How nice!"
Woman: "Easy peasy! We'll have time for coffee and a doughnut afterward!"
Situation Two: An LGBT Couple Wants to Marry
Partner 1: "Hi partner. Let's marry."
Partner 2: "Actually, that's illegal, but we can have all the same rights as a married couple."
Partner 1: "Oh, goodie. I'll call the accountant and find out how we can avoid the estate tax should one of us, heaven forbid, pass away before the other."
Partner 2: "Good thinking. I'd better call the attorney and find out how I can be allowed to visit you if you're ever in the hospital."
Partner 1: "Well, hey! That's not going to take much time at all! And after that, there are only one thousand one hundred thirty six more federal rights we need to get back in order for us to have the same rights as a married couple!"
Partner 2: "That's the spirit! At this pace, we'll be done setting this all up in about a decade--that is, if I don't have to take a second job to pay all the attorney costs and filing fees!"
Partner 1: "I suppose that will slow us down if you're working two jobs, but it's worth it, just to get the rights that we're not being denied!"
It's true. There are 1138 federal rights that LGBT couples do not have when they are denied marriage. Saying that LGBT couples can simply regain those rights by filling out paperwork, consulting expensive professionals, and paying processing fees for acquiring those rights is equivalent to giving all people the right to vote, but forcing some of those people to fill out special forms.
Thus, Prop 8 is discrimination.
And don't get me started on the psychological effects of facing people that don't recognize your marriage just because they have a specific interpretation of a book.
They claim that through things like a strong will, power of attorney, and more, an LGBT couple can have the same rights as a straight, married couple.
Let's take a look at how equal these scenarios are.
Situation One: A Man and Woman Want to Marry
Man: "Hi, woman. Let's marry."
Woman: "Okay. Let's go to the court house and get that done right now."
Man: "One simple document. How nice!"
Woman: "Easy peasy! We'll have time for coffee and a doughnut afterward!"
Situation Two: An LGBT Couple Wants to Marry
Partner 1: "Hi partner. Let's marry."
Partner 2: "Actually, that's illegal, but we can have all the same rights as a married couple."
Partner 1: "Oh, goodie. I'll call the accountant and find out how we can avoid the estate tax should one of us, heaven forbid, pass away before the other."
Partner 2: "Good thinking. I'd better call the attorney and find out how I can be allowed to visit you if you're ever in the hospital."
Partner 1: "Well, hey! That's not going to take much time at all! And after that, there are only one thousand one hundred thirty six more federal rights we need to get back in order for us to have the same rights as a married couple!"
Partner 2: "That's the spirit! At this pace, we'll be done setting this all up in about a decade--that is, if I don't have to take a second job to pay all the attorney costs and filing fees!"
Partner 1: "I suppose that will slow us down if you're working two jobs, but it's worth it, just to get the rights that we're not being denied!"
It's true. There are 1138 federal rights that LGBT couples do not have when they are denied marriage. Saying that LGBT couples can simply regain those rights by filling out paperwork, consulting expensive professionals, and paying processing fees for acquiring those rights is equivalent to giving all people the right to vote, but forcing some of those people to fill out special forms.
Thus, Prop 8 is discrimination.
And don't get me started on the psychological effects of facing people that don't recognize your marriage just because they have a specific interpretation of a book.
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