Two more states allow same-sex civil unions

[UrbScotty]

Several same-sex couples came together in the first minutes of New Year's Day in Honolulu to become the first in the state's history to enter into civil unions.

"We really don't want to wait any longer because we have been together for 33 years waiting for the opportunity and our rights and everything that goes with it," said Donna Gedge, who was with her partner Monica Montgomery, speaking to CNN affiliate KITV. "So why wait?"

The couple told CNN last week about their plans to stay up late for the ceremony.

With Hawaii and Delaware joining the list Sunday, five states now recognize same-sex civil unions, while six other states and Washington, D.C., allow same-sex marriage, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/01/us/civil-unions/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

[izquierdista]

1. The dominoes fall, one by one....

[Fearless]

2. A strong step in the right direction, but the battle isn't finished yet!

[yardwork]

10. No, it is not. In May, North Carolina will vote on a constitutional amendment against equal marriage

If it passes - and polls show there's a good chance it will - then equal marriage rights, already illegal in North Carolina, will become unconstitutional. All domestic and civil partnerships will become unconstitutional as well. This will erode the rights of many straight couples as well as all gay couples.

[greymattermom]

21. what will that mean for unmarried straight couples?

Will landlords require marriage licenses? Does North Carolina have common law marriage? What about sons and daughters of the 1% who live together without marriage. Just curious about the unintended consequences.

[yardwork]

25. The unintended consequences will be broad and far-reaching. The amendment's language is vague.

Lots of info at this link: http://equalitync.org/

Specific info about what the amendment might mean here: http://equalitync.org/amendment

[Demonaut]

3. dogs and cats living together,

in harmony
I hope they highlight the failed marriages of RW'rs, if they felt so strongly about marriage then outlaw divorce

[Suji to Seoul]

15. Reminds me of scene from Ghostbusters

Old Testament, Mr. Mayor. "Wrath of God"-type stuff. The seas could boil, fire and brimstone falling from the sky ...

... forty years of darkness, earthquakes, volcanoes. . ."

"the dead rising from the grave."

"human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria, ...

Typical gay marriage anti-arguments.

[Demonaut]

22. lol, thats where I got that..thanks for reminding me

I'd completely forgot, love that line from Bill Murray

[HopeHoops]

4. Two more victories!!!

[RKP5637]

5. Excellent!!! n/t

[sarcasmo]

6. Another two bite the dust.

Nice!

[Terra Alta]

7. Good news.

We still have a long way to go, though. I won't be completely satisfied until same-sex MARRIAGE is recognized in every state and on the federal level.

[demigoddess]

20. i'm hoping I live long enough to see it.

Would love to see that and our first woman president (democrat, of course)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. Good News!!

[xchrom]

9. Du rec. Nt

[Lisa D]

11. Great News!

Let's keep moving forward.

[sasha031]

12. excellent news

[Politicub]

13. Awesome! What a great way to usher in the new year.

And a toast to progress!

[BlueIris]

14. Yay for (some more) relationship equality!

While we still have a long way to go, I am heartened by these improvements.

[ZombieHorde]

16. Step by step. nt

[Maraya1969]

17. Great news. Just when you hear som stupid ass like

Santorum say he'll void these marriages is he becomes president, (which I don't think he can or would) something comes up to re-new my faith in the American people.

[colsohlibgal]

18. Just A Matter Of Time

The day will come when the vast majority of people will wonder why so many in our time were so worried about who was sleeping with who. What two (or more) consenting adults are doing in private down my street affects me not at all.

[JayhawkSD]

19. You say this like it is a good thing. It is not.

Civil unions are not the same a marriage, and they do not convey the same rights as marriage. By conveying this "half measure" the state satisfies critics and instills complacency that some sort of equality has been reached. It has not, and by doing this the day of allowing anyone to marry a person of their choice is put further off.

[lunatica]

24. Just the opposite may happen instead

Because it doesn't matter what the states want. Not in the fight for equal rights. The only thing that matters in the end is equality for all.

In the process this country has fallen short too long.

[lunatica]

23. Not enough, but definitely going in the right direction

The momentum will carry through to the end desired result.