Civil Union rights in NJ!

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Author Message   C Bataille Citizen Username: Nakaille Post Number: 1631 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 5:06 pm:        Woohoo! Ok, it's not marriage but it's a really good step in my opinion! From NJ.com: Senate approves bill giving legal rights to same-sex couples By JOHN P. McALPIN The Associated Press 1/8/2004, 3:40 p.m. ET "TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Domestic partners, including same-sex couples, will soon be eligible for many of the same legal rights as those legally married. The state Senate voted 23-9 Thursday to approve a bill granting those rights. Gov. James E. McGreevey is likely to sign the measure into law shortly. Gay and lesbian advocates campaigned to make New Jersey the fifth state to recognize domestic partners. Conservative and religious groups opposed the measure, saying it threatened traditional marriage values. Under the legislation, domestic partners would get access to medical benefits, insurance and other legal rights. The bill does not authorize gay marriage, which is against the law in New Jersey. The bill would not force businesses to offer health coverage to same-sex partners of employees but would require insurance companies to make it available. It would also allow a surviving partner to gain property rights and other survivors' benefits. The measure also includes some benefits for domestic unions between unmarried heterosexual couples age 62 and over." CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON! I am so happy! Cathy   Nohero Citizen Username: Nohero Post Number: 2671 Registered: 10-1999 Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 9:28 pm:        Cathy: That's terrific news! But, please, no more "Kool and the Gang". Sorry, it's just how I feel ...   TomR Citizen Username: Tomr Post Number: 74 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Thursday, January 8, 2004 - 10:15 pm:        Sounds like age discrimination to me. TomR   bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4240 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 5:21 am:        This is good news and I think having a legislature pass laws is better than having these rights affirmed by a court as was the case in Ma. As far as the over 62 hets are concerned some government pensions end if a widow remarries.   Maplewoody Citizen Username: Maplewoody Post Number: 417 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Friday, January 9, 2004 - 6:04 am:        This is VERY good news!