New Jersey starts registering same-sex civil unions Options

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BBC article 1
BBC article 2

The US state of New Jersey has become the latest to begin registering same-sex partnerships as civil unions, granting couples new legal rights.

Registered same-sex couples in New Jersey now have adoption and custody rights, as well as new allowances on hospital visits and medical rights.

It is the third state to allow civil unions, a step below the full marriage rights permitted in Massachusetts.

Not so much in CB, but in the other online community I visit this particular subject has been debated quite extensively ever since it gained major relevance on the run up to the 2004 elections.

Back then, it seemed like the idea of civil unions was close to a utopian dream, while fully legal marriages were considered impossible to be applied in practice. This far, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California (to an extent), Vermont and Connecticut have taken small steps towards the recognition of other forms of marriage than the traditional one.

Still, the Federal Government along with 45 states do not recognize homosexual marriages, but in any case, the advances made seem quite significant considering the little time that has passed since same-sex marriages were lastly brought to debate, as well as the nature of the incumbent Government.

[HakunaMatata]

Ugh, I can't believe I forgot the word for the legal rights California offers same-sex couples; I'm sure it'll hit me later.

I'm so happy about this; it's small step, and it'll take a long while before the civil unions (and even longer, full marriages) become federally legal, but this is a step, imo, in the right direction.