Gay Marriage vs. Civil Union

So what's all the fuss about Civil Unions and Gay Marriage? They are essentially the same thing, aren't they?

According to the author of Gay Marriage vs. Civil Union: An Argument of Semantics, it is just a matter of semantics (and discrimination). "I find it sad that in this day and age Americans are splitting hairs over semantics and allowing one word to stand in the way of happiness and equality for a large number of deserving, law-abiding American citizens who just so happen to love someone of the same sex... The word marriage is merely a scapegoat in the fight for gay civil unions. Take that one word away and what is left to argue over but the fears and prejudices of many Americans. American politicians know it is not politically correct to gay-bash so they quibble over a single word to give the illusion of right and wrong."

But are civil unions really the same thing or is it a matter of "separate but equal"? Civil Unions vs. Gay Marriage argues that civil unions are anything but equal to marriage... civil unions fail to ensure equal rights in a multitude of arenas.

Are civil unions the necessary first step? Or is it merely a politically correct and socially sanctioned way to discriminate?

Utah's "Proposition 8"

KSL viewers voted California's Proposition 8 as Utah's #2 top story of 2008. Battle lines were drawn as proponents of gay rights fought for the right to marry; on the other side were advocates for the "traditional" family, preservation of religious rights, and the "wellfare of children." The fight extended beyond the borders of California to Utah and elsewhere in the nation. Now round two begins as Utah's own Proposition 8 is before the legislature.

A House Joint Resolution (2) to Amend the Marriage Provision of the Utah Constitution has been introduced and is currently before the House. It proposes to amend the Utah Constitution to "repeal language prohibiting any domestic union other than a marriage [between a man and a woman]to be recognized or given the same or substantially the same legal effect as a marriage." The resolution directs the lieutenant governor to submit this proposal to voters, with a contingent effective date of January 1, 2011.

Is it easy to see the worldviews of Bogenschneider's (2006) camps, the concerned and impatient camps in particular, at play in this issue. Rather than blindly battling on ideological grounds, Bogenschneider recommends that we seek the "fertile middle ground" in the issue. Ti find "an elegent integration that takes divergent perspectives into account or falls somewhere in between. Moving toward the middle ground does not result in mediocre policies, but in more realistic policies that mirror the inherent give and take of family life" (p. 133).

With the heat and passion of the opposing sides, it may seem unlikely that a middle ground can be found, but I remain opptimitic that this is indeed possible. The option to allow "domestic unions" while maintaining the term "marriage" for that between a man and a woman is only one of may options.

Family Diversity

Diversity is a hallmark of American society; American families are no exception. U.S. families are becoming increasingly diverse, including:

• culturally and ethnically diverse families
• gay and lesbian families
• multi-generational families
• grandparent led families
• single parent families
• step families
• families experiencing homelessness

Each of these family forms possess unique strengths and challenges. I am a strong believer in the importance of supporting families in all of their diverse forms. However, Barbara Whitehead in her article Dan Quayle Was Right poses an important questions.

"How do we begin to reconcile our long-standing belief in equality and diversity with the impressive body of evidence that suggests that not all family structures produce equal outcomes for children?"

What are your thoughts and opinions?

Family Diversity

So, I've finally decided on a topic...supporting diverse family forms. I am realizing how passionate of a topic this is form me. Watch for some lively discussions regarding a variety of family forms, including controversial gay/lesbian rights bills currently before the Utah Legislature.

Family Social Policy Interests

My main family social policy interests are:

• supporting families in crisis


• supporting family diversity

Admittedly, these interests are a bit broad. But here are a few examples...

Impact of Mental Illness on Families

A staggering 1 in 4 American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health, 2008). Half of these men and 2/3 of these women are parents (Center for Mental Health Services Research). Symptoms of these disorders often have significant and far-reaching effects not only on the individual, but their family and loved ones as well.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Nationally, over 4.5 million children reside in homes headed by their grandparents (AARP, 2007). Approximately 1/3 of these grandparents are primary caregivers for their grandchildren (U.S. Census, 2004), often without official guardianship. Grandparent-led families often face financial hardship, housing difficulties, unmet medical and mental health needs, and structural barriers. For more information on these and other issues faced by these such families click here.

Families in Poverty

Approximately 37.3 million Americans (12.5% of the total U.S. population) live in poverty (Institute for Research on Poverty, 2007). According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 16 percent of children (20 percent of children under age six) in America live in poverty. Research abounds on the detrimental impact of poverty on child and family well being.

Family Diversity

Diversity is a hallmark of American society; American families are no exception. A few examples include:

• culturally and ethnically diverse families
• gay and lesbian families
• multi-generational families
• grandparent led families
• single parent families
• step families
• families experiencing homelessness

Each of these family forms possess unique strengths and challenges and are impacted differently by social and family policies.

Bills of interest before the state legislature

Don't blink or you'll miss it! Utah's legislative session is one of the shortest in the nation. Despite this, there are a variety of bills and resolutions slated for the 2009 General Session. Here are a few that have peaked my interest. (Let me be clear, I don't purport to be an expert on any of these.)

H.B.26 Child and Vulnerable Adult Endangerment Provisions

This bill amends Utah Criminal Code relating to endangerment of a child or a vulnerable adult. It provides that a person who knowingly or intentionally causes or permits a child or a vulnerable adult to be exposed to, inhale, ingest, or have contact with a controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia face stiffer penalties.

H.B. 29 Sex Offenders' Contact with Children

This bill modifies the Code of Criminal Procedure and requires a registered sex offender whose offense was against a child younger than 14 to obtain permission from a child's parent or guardian to allow a child younger than age 14 to accompany the offender.

H.B. 42 Adoption Revisions

This bill amends multiple provisions of the Utah Adoption Act:

• reduces the age of an "adult adoptee" from 21 to 18
• increases maximums paid for counseling of a parent who is placing a child for adoption
• modifies provisions relating to who has the right to consent to an adoption and the dissolution of parental rights
• provides that a court may not refuse to allow/accept a mother's consent to adoption on the grounds that an unmarried biological father filed an action to establish parentage
• reduces from 21 to 18 the age: of an adult adoptee who may participate in the mutual-consent, voluntary adoption registry.

H.B. 64 Deterring Illegal Immigration

This bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety to administer and coordinate the operation of a multi-agency strike force to combat violent and other major crimes associated with illegal immigration and human trafficking.

H.B. 97 Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

This bill modifies the Criminal Code regarding sexual offenses against minors. It amends the offense of sexual exploitation of a minor to include the act of viewing child pornography.

H.B. 101 Assertive Community Mental Health Treatment Pilot Program

This bill establishes a pilot program within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Act for the provision of assertive community treatment services to people with a severe mental disorder, who are not receiving or are transitioning out of other mental health services, and to their families.

H.B. 218 Family Employment Program Amendments

This bill modifies provisions of the Utah Workforce Services Code allowing that the Department of Workforce Services shall make a rule for the amount of cash assistance a participant is eligible to receive under the Family Employment Program.

H.B. 222 Unborn Child Pain Prevention Act

This bill amends Utah Criminal Code relating to abortion. It requires that at least 24 hours before a physician performs an abortion (of a fetus of at least 20 weeks gestational age), the woman be informed of any anesthetic/analgesic that would eliminate or alleviate pain to the unborn child along with any associated medical risks. The Department of Health would also be required to produce a brochure including information, from both sides of the issue.

H.C.R. 2 Healthy Family Partnership Concurrent Resolution

This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges that age appropriate materials on family violence prevention be available in Utah's public schools and that state government continue community partnerships to help youth prevent family and dating violence.
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Requesting a Federal Waiver to Establish an Employer-Sponsored Work Program

This concurrent resolution of the Legislature urges the United States Congress to grant the state of Utah waivers to establish an employer-sponsored work program and other strategies to address illegal immigration in the state as well as withhold federal FICA and Medicare revenue and apply it toward the costs of the program.