Yes, what zepooka said. The differentiation we have the the UK between 'civil partner' and 'spouse' is actually a big part of what gay marriage campaigners are fighting against: so that the rights attaching to same-sex and opposite-sex marriages can't be separated. In the US where politics are less centralized that has more potential knock-on effects in the UK.
As always, my anti-assimilationist side and my outrage at bigotry to some degree conflict on how I feel about this. I don't want marriage to be tied to any rights, I don't want to be a second-class citizen if I live my life uncoupled in an unconventional family of friends, but obviously I want people to have their relationships recognized if that's what they want.
Also, sadly I don't believe in the liberal progress march towards happy perfect rights for all. I think it's a useful tool sometimes, but look at immigration, look at the welfare state--the idea of what people have a 'right' to changes all the time, and it often goes 'backwards.' Excuse the cynicism, I'm pleased about Obama and all, but!
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As always, my anti-assimilationist side and my outrage at bigotry to some degree conflict on how I feel about this. I don't want marriage to be tied to any rights, I don't want to be a second-class citizen if I live my life uncoupled in an unconventional family of friends, but obviously I want people to have their relationships recognized if that's what they want.
Also, sadly I don't believe in the liberal progress march towards happy perfect rights for all. I think it's a useful tool sometimes, but look at immigration, look at the welfare state--the idea of what people have a 'right' to changes all the time, and it often goes 'backwards.' Excuse the cynicism, I'm pleased about Obama and all, but!