If President Obama and Congress move toward full federal rights for civil unions

[cali]

will you object? Obama says he supports all the federal rights and responsibilities that marriage enables, for gays and lesbians in civil unions. Now, I imagine that would also apply to those in CT and MA who have full marriage equality.

I know that a lot of GLBT folks feel that civil unions are not only not sufficient, but downright evil in the sense that the separate but equal doctrine was an evil.

Will you support the federal rights of marriage channeled through civil unions should Obama and the Congress move in that direction?

[rox63]

1. Though it's not marriage, it'd be a huge step forward to have federal recognition of civil unions

Just like it was when VT was the first state to allow civil unions. Unfortunately, change almost never happens all at once.

[Blarch]

2. If they aren't happy with it...

then fuck them.

They are about to get equal rights ...but it's not good enough ?

[BklynChick]

3. I think we need to go all the way or we never will.

[karynnj]

5. This might be the most that the federal government can do

Just as some questioned the legality of DOMA, a law defining marriage inclusively at the federal level is likely unconstitutional. What this could do if passed is create a situation where the equal rights become available in every state as states pass any type of union.

This would help any of the people in the more progressive states get not just state but federal rights. This might still be very difficult to pass. One thing that might come out of passing this is for people to ask for some way to deal with couples in regressive states.

The question is whether doing this now hurts a bigger change later or whether a bigger change is possible now. I seriously do not think that a bigger change - done at the state level in every state is remotely possible now.

[karynnj]

4. I think it woulod be the biggest step that could possibly be made at the federal level

The states have the right to define marriage or any sanctioned union within their state. They do not have the right to give full federal rights though. In fact, in CT and MA as well as all states with civil unions, a change in federal law will give all the rights and privileges that marriage has - leaving the difference in the "civil union" states really just a word. The change later from civil union to marriage will be far less a big step.

I would imagine that Obama will not take this on immediately - there are far more drastic things that have to be done. Here, the best he might be able to do is to signal to the Congress that if they write the legislation he will say he supports it.

[yodermon]

6. Federal judges who simply rule that it's unequal protection under the law

that someone can't get married to the person they wish simply because of their gender (sexual discrimination; orientation doesn't even have to enter in)
requires no legislation

[AntiFascist]

7. It depends, what will be the compromise?

until we see how this plays out in the legislature I would reserve my judgement. At least when the courts make a ruling, you know exactly what it's all about.