New Jersey civil union law draws criticism (failed to end discrimination)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: UPI

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A study commission has found that New Jersey's year-old civil union law has failed to end discrimination against same-sex couples.

In a report due to be released Tuesday, the 12-member Civil Union Review Commission says employers are still discriminating against people in same-sex relationships and civil unions have created a "second-class status," The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday.

The newspaper obtained a copy of the 21-page report that also says the law has had "a particularly disparate impact on people of color."

At hearings conducted by the commission, Lynn Fontaine Newsome, the president of the New Jersey State Bar Association, testified that lawyers faced "countless additional hours of work" in representing gays, lesbians, bisexual clients and their families."


Read more: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/02/18/new_jersey_civil_union_law_draws_criticism/2825/

[LostinVA]

1. It's legally the same as "marriage" here, but not calloing it such leads to some bad stuff

Employers denying benefits, mayors refusing to marry same sex couples, etc. Haruka and I were married in September, and we both have employers that understand that our union is the SAME thing as a heterosexual civil union. But, the wording needs to change NOW to close the faux loophole some are using.

[Ohio Joe]

5. I don't know

I mean, I agree the wording should be the same. I just think that pieces of garbage that are offended/threatened/afraid of someone else's choice on who they want to be married to will still be the same. They will still discriminate, and intimidate, and attack and murder them. Its f'ing disgusting.

I also seem like I feel at this great loss for a solution. I can't even understand the mindset that causes people to react they way they do to something that HAS NO F'ING IMPACT ON THEM... I can never think of anything that would help them understand and get rid of the problem once and for all.

[Chovexani]

7. I have a solution

The same solution that was used to secure rights for every other beleagured minority that eventually got them: put it into law and let the bigots go fuck themselves.

[Omaha Steve]

6. Your one of the lucky couples

Congratulations.

[LostinVA]

2. Kick

[closeupready]

3. It was a nice idea, but now that we know it's a failure, it's time to give full equality to gays and

lesbians.

[JerseygirlCT]

4. No surprise

What's surprising is that so many seem to think that we can keep trying "separate but equal" and one time it will work. Haven't we done that already enough?