A Change in Tactics - Civil Unions in Illinois

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panthera

panthera

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I wonder how others here feel about this approach? Is this the right way to go?

Certainly, the Iowa decision is going to echo more in States like Illinois or California than in some others - the embarrassment of not being as advanced as Des Moines is playing a role. As is the thought that Iowa is projected to earn money on at least 58,000 SSM in the next few years.

So, do we strike while the iron is hot and the clothes well sprinkled and rolled? Or do we take the risk that the Republicans (and by that I mean the Republicans of today, a group which is even further to the right than ever before) might take power again in the mid-terms?

http://ga0.org/campaign/equality
 
Oh gawd...

might take power again in the mid-terms?

Did you have to say that? Just the very thought runs chills down my spine. You are so right about being "further to the right than ever before."

From the link is this paragraph -- I hope it's okay to post this snippet:

Civil Unions follow the precedent of over 270 of the Fortune 500 companies, our biggest employers, who already offer domestic partner benefits to their employees, as do Illinois towns from Champaign to Chicago.

One thing I've learned working for a few Fortune 500 companies is that Corporate America will not do anything unless it beefs up the bottom line. If it were more profitable in the long to not have domestic partner benefits -- you wouldn't see one company offering such. Savvy and forward thinking companies know that in the long run, when an employee's benefits improve the overall quality of his or her life, the result will be loyalty and a more productive and positive staffer from which the company will reap a benefit as well.

Are you asking if going for the "compromise" of a state-recognized domestic partnership, versus "marriage" in your "strike while the iron is hot" question?

If so...that indeed IS a good question and really fosters a lot of thought. So many times we've seen positive movement in legal chambers go on the books...only to come back off again in subsequent legislation, ballot issue, or state constitutional amendment. Then another effort launched to retry, but now the bar is even higher. It's like a front loader stuck in the balancing mode with water still coming in.

One part of me says strike while the iron is hot, hold and defend -- yet another part says wait, gather resources, organize, and push for marriage as in other states.

But that brings up a dilemma: If we coil up for marriage...that hurts those who are right now in the situation where a legally recognized domestic partnership would be of great benefit. I can't in good conscience think to tell the partner locked out of the ICU in favor of fundy relatives to hold on. Or to the partner who after 25 years is watching the house be cleaned out by relatives who broke contact, slung religion and discord if any communication, swoop in like vultures because the law allows it.

Yet, with marriage being defined in more gender-neutral terms in other states...what would be the status of a civil union versus marriage? Would they "weigh" the same?

This is a question that at first glance, looks easy...but when you take in a breath to answer, catches you in the chest.

Great post and link, panthera, thank you for this.

John
 
John,

I thought for a change, I would hold back on my own opinions - everybody here pretty well knows how I feel.

So I'll just keep me mouth shut and let others say what they think.

You're right, tho' - it is a tough question and, yes, I do feel that the window of opportunity is very narrow.

Here in Europe, it pretty much doesn't matter whether we call it domestic partnership, civil union or marriage - the main thing is that our right to fulfill our responsibilities to each other are respected.
 
the embarrassment of not being as advanced as Des Moines is playing a role

You are so right about that, I've noticed that in many instances recently especially coming out of people from New York and California. The unanimous Iowa decision has been by far more powerful than any of the others in so many ways.
 
Sam, that is

what forced the conservatives in Germany to finally shut up and fork over our rights - every civilized country on our borders had marriage rights for all.
Of course, there were the usual howls but it is hard to pretend you aren't a Nazi when everyone can point their finger at your politics a few years back and say, why, yes, you are.

But I wanted to keep quiet. Not easy, I don't know if anyone here has every noticed that...
 

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