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"I don't wish to destroy the principles and concepts of marriage, I wish to affirm them."
- Kayla
Hospital visitation
A spouse has an automatic preference for hospital visitation and access to intensive care for his or her spouse.
Does not extend to a same-sex partner.
Medical decision-making
A spouse or family member has automatic
preference for making medical decisions for a disabled or incompetent spouse.
Does not extend to a same-sex partner.
Inheritance
A spouse has the automatic right to inherit without a will; inheritance not taxed at the state or federal level.
Does not extend to a same-sex partner.
Burial in family cemetery
A spouse has the right to be buried in a family cemetery or in any burial lot owned by a deceased spouse.
Does not extend to a same-sex partner.
Anatomical gift decision-making
A spouse has the right to make
anatomical gifts for a deceased spouse if the deceased spouse has not already expressed his or her wishes about doing so.
Does not extend to a same-sex partner.
sources:
Civil Marriage v. Civil Unions
Protections, Benefits and Obligations of Marriage Under Massachusetts and Federal Law |
Kayla - from the Blog
worries about hospital visitation & inheritance
I'm a 45 year old mother of two. I am a lesbian. I have two children, a son who is 25 and a very dedicated father and husband to his beautiful wife and daughter. I have a daughter who is a Senior in high school and will be starting college next fall. She is on the National Honor Roll, as well as the National Who's Who for academics and for sports. She wants to teach history to high school students. My children love my partner and I as we love them, unconditionally.
I was hit head on 14 years ago by a drunk driver and I live life from a wheel chair. My body is aging faster than a body should. Arthritis and degenerative disk disease have taken over my spine which is held in place by rods, pins, and wires.
We have lived a good life. We pay taxes, we both work, though my health has caused me to stop. We honestly do not need societies affirmation. We are affirmed by our love for one another, and by the love our children have for us, just as they are affirmed by the love we have for them.
I know that as I age my physical condition is not going to improve. Chances are I will pass on before my beloved wife. A blessing actually for me. A curse for her she would tell you. If someone from a family that long ago abandoned me (which had nothing to do with my being a gay woman) decided to come out of the woodwork while I lay on my death bed, without marital rights, they could keep my beloved from holding my hand, and looking into my eyes, and offering comfort to me as I take my last breath.
You may think the odds of this happening rare, but I know better as when my mother passed, they,(some being her own children) had not seen her in 20 years, yet, they came out of nowhere, looking to see what was there for them. I ask you, what horrible end would come to "society," what terrible destruction of the "institution of marriage" would take place because I die with my loved ones surrounding me?
I don't wish to destroy the principles and concepts of marriage, I wish to affirm them. I wish to keep them sacred as I live my life out with only one person, my wife.
You may mask this drive as you wish, but you know that it really comes from a place of darkness. Please, don't be afraid to stand in the light and love one another as Christ also loved you.
God does not make mistakes, and each one of us breaths because He gave us life.
Read this statement in its original context...
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