Archive Version of
Partners Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Couples Online from 1995-2022 Demian and Steve Bryant originally founded Partners as a monthly newsletter in 1986. By late 1990 it was reformatted into a bi-monthly magazine. Print publication was halted by 1995 when Demian published Partners as a Web site, which greatly expanded readership. In 1988, the Partners National Survey of Lesbian & Gay Couples report was published; the first major U.S. survey on same-sex couples in a decade. In 1996, Demian produced The Right to Marry, a video documentary based on the dire need for equality that was made clear by the data from the survey mentioned above. The video featured interviews with Rev. Mel White, Evan Wolfson, Phyllis Burke, Richard Mohr, Kevin Cathcart, Faygele benMiriam, Benjamin Cable-McCarthy, Susan Reardon, Frances Fuchs, Tina Podlodowski, and Chelle Mileur. Demian has been the sole operator during the last two decades of Partners. Demian stopped work on Partners Task Force in order to realize his other time-consuming projects, which include publishing the book “Operating Manual for Same-Sex Couples: Navigating the rules, rites & rights” - which is now available on Amazon. The book is based on the Partners Survey mentioned above, his interviews of scores of couples, and 36 years of writing hundreds of articles about same-sex couples. It’s also been informed by his personal experience in a 20-year, same-sex relationship. Demian’s other project is to publish his “Photo Stories by Demian” books based on his more than six decades as a photographer and writer. |
Comparing Legal Marriage / Ceremonial Marriage / Domestic Partner Benefits by Demian © July 7, 2011, Demian In the United States, family units are addressed by the government according to their legal status, not according to commitment or duration of relationship. Legal marriage for same-sex couples is completely denied, which is why committed same-sex partners of 40 years can be treated as legal strangers. An opposite-sex couple, that just signed a marriage license, can have a non U.S. partner apply for citizenship, automatically inherit, become a legal co-parent, have medical say if their partner is incapacitated, and so on. Legal status is assigned through “legal marriage,” “ceremonial marriage” and various forms of “domestic partnership” laws. Legal marriage is a relationship between three parties — the two individuals plus the state. Ceremonial marriage, often called a “wedding,” is a relationship between the couple, their religion and/or their familial and social circle. This form of marriage — which is available to same-sex couples — has no legal standing. Domestic Partnership is a relationship between the two individuals and the state. Offered only in a few states, this status has widely differing effects, and is not recognized outside of the state of issuance. Many private and governmental employers offer benefit plans that are called “Domestic Partnership Benefit Plans.” Further, some municipalities extend some small benefits to citizens at large, calling them “Domestic Partner Registration.” Many opposite-sex couples engage in both legal and ceremonial marriage, but they are entirely distinct — legally and functionally — under our nation’s Constitutional separation of church and state. Because same-sex couples are barred from legal marriage, to simulate only a small fraction of marriage rights, couples can spend as much as $3,000 in legal fees and related expenses for documents that need to be reviewed about every four years, or at any significant change of circumstance. A marriage license usually costs about $35 and self-perpetuates. Opposite-sex couples are usually presumed legally married when applying for benefits, often without ever needing to show their marriage license. Same-sex couples applying for job benefits are often required to prove they live together, co-mingle finances, and intend to live together forever.
Married, opposite-sex couples are not required to live together, can maintain separate finances; they are not required to even like each other.
|
© 2022, Demian None of the pages on this Web site may be reproduced by any form of reproduction without permission from Partners, with the exception of copies for personal, student, and non-commercial use. Please do not copy this article to any Web site. Links to this page are welcome. |