Civil+Unions+vs.+Domestic+Partnerships+(in+terms+of+rights+and+benefits)

"Separate and Unequal." A term used by many states to describe both Civil unions and domestic partners. This describes how few benefits and recognition same-sex couples are given.

Similarities in the rights of civil unions and domestic partnerships are that, in both types of relationships, employers do not have to give the couples health insurance. Both relationships do not include protection or insurance. Also, both have very few rights or are recognized in many states. In many states, the laws and regulations on civil unions are varying even within districts. Civil unions are usually only recognized within the state they are initiated in, so traveling is not safe. Outside of the state, if there is an emergency, partners cannot make health decisions for each other if one is incapacitated.

Civil Unions were started in Vermont in 2000, so pretty recently. This gave same-sex couple a little legal protection. In 2009, gay couples were finally allowed to get married in Vermont, so they ended civil unions. Many other states did this but 6 states that still use civil unions as a system for same-sex couples to be together are Illinois, California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington (some also support gay marriage as well).

In Illinois, this bill for civil unions provides many benefits for same-sex couples like: ([]) *Equal access to domestic relations laws and procedure (including divorce and division of property)
 * Emergency medical decision-making power and hospital visitation rights
 * Equal access to state spousal benefits (including workers' compensation, spousal pension coverage, etc.)
 * Equal access to civil actions dependent upon spousal status (wrongful death actions)
 * Equal tax treatment at the state and local level
 * Spousal testimonial privilege
 * Inheritance rights and equal estate tax treatment

In total, 650 rights, benefits, and protections for same-sex couples in Illinois, and in 2011, this bill was passed, and since then couples have been joined in Civil unions. Domestic partnerships are not often recognized by the state, hence the term, "domestic." These relationships are mostly for a couples' pleasure. Not many states even acknowledge this relationship because the government does not have to give any benefits to these people. Maine, a state that does recognize these partnerships, say they are more "symbolic" relationships. In many places, including Oregon, domestic partners get no protection from the government. In other states, rights and benefits of civil unions are different, but they are all taking steps towards more accepting and more equal relationship standards.

Sources http://www.freedomtomarry.org/pages/marriage-versus-civil-unions-domestic-partnerships-etc http://equalitymaine.org/marriage-civil-unions-and-domestic-partnerships-comparison http://www.eqil.org/civil.html