This one's for Miller
Rushlimbo
Posts: 832
Enjoy the new possibilities Miller !
N.J. civil unions to take effect Monday
By GEOFF MULVIHILL, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 16 minutes ago
Diane Marini used to joke that she was always the bridesmaid and never the bride because, as a lesbian, she thought it was unlikely New Jersey would ever approve same-sex marriage.
Still, she and longtime partner Marilyn Maneely campaigned for gay marriage. They were among seven couples who sued the state in 2002 demanding the right to marry. While their suit didn't lead to a gay marriage law, it has led to New Jersey becoming the third state to offer civil unions to same-sex couples.
The civil unions law takes effect Monday and some same-sex couples are planning ceremonies. For couples who are not already in civil unions from other states, however, there is a 72-hour waiting period after applying for a license — just like with marriages. A few town halls around the state planned to open at 12:01 a.m. Monday so couples could file their applications.
It will be a bittersweet day for Marini, because Maneely died of Lou Gehrig's disease in 2005, more than a year before the case was decided.
"I'm thrilled to have been part of the whole movement to show people who didn't know what marriage meant, why it was important," said Marini, who plans to attend one couple's ceremony next weekend and probably several more in the next few months.
The state Supreme Court ruled in October that New Jersey must extend all the rights of marriage to gay couples, but left it to lawmakers to decide whether to provide those rights in the form of marriages, civil unions or something else. Lawmakers opted for "civil unions," in part because of opposition from legislators who objected on religious grounds to calling it "marriage."
Marini, a construction contractor, and Maneely, a home-health nurse, were a couple for more than 14 years after meeting at a spiritual retreat in Ocean City. Marini, who had come out as a lesbian in the early 1970s, saw the retreat as a vacation. Maneely, a mother of five who knew how to cook for a big group, was there mostly to run the kitchen.
It was only after meeting Marini that Maneely realized she was gay and sought a divorce from her husband.
Marini restored a home for the couple and Maneely's five children in Haddonfield, a well-heeled suburb near Philadelphia.
The couple golfed, went to the beach, shuttled the kids around and went to women's and gay rights marches in Washington.
Their activism increased five years ago when they joined with six other couples in the lawsuit.
Toward the end of Maneely's life, Marini says, they felt shortchanged because they didn't have the same rights as married couples.
After Maneely fell sick in early 2005, the couple registered as domestic partners under a 2004 New Jersey law that extended some benefits of marriage to gay couples. Under that law, Marini was entitled to make medical decisions for her partner in New Jersey, the way a spouse would.
But much of Maneely's treatment was in a clinic in Philadelphia. There, Marini said, one of Maneely's children had to be listed as next-of-kin.
Marini said, as advocates for gay marriage have often argued, that the benefits of marriage come into play often when one spouse is sick. "It's a time of emergency, a time of hysteria," she said. And a bad time to explain legal rights and status to hospital officials, well-meaning or not, she said.
Phrases like "domestic partner" and "civil union" only add to the confusion, she said, whereas "marriage" is more universally understood.
Gay rights advocates say they will keep pressing for New Jersey to become the second state in the nation to allow gay marriage. Massachusetts is the only state to allow same-sex marriages; Vermont and Connecticut have civil union laws.
At the same time, however, some social conservatives are launching a petition drive to persuade legislators to change the state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Marini says she'll continue to be involved in the political fight for gay marriage, but without Maneely, she says, she won't be part of another lawsuit.
N.J. civil unions to take effect Monday
By GEOFF MULVIHILL, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 16 minutes ago
Diane Marini used to joke that she was always the bridesmaid and never the bride because, as a lesbian, she thought it was unlikely New Jersey would ever approve same-sex marriage.
Still, she and longtime partner Marilyn Maneely campaigned for gay marriage. They were among seven couples who sued the state in 2002 demanding the right to marry. While their suit didn't lead to a gay marriage law, it has led to New Jersey becoming the third state to offer civil unions to same-sex couples.
The civil unions law takes effect Monday and some same-sex couples are planning ceremonies. For couples who are not already in civil unions from other states, however, there is a 72-hour waiting period after applying for a license — just like with marriages. A few town halls around the state planned to open at 12:01 a.m. Monday so couples could file their applications.
It will be a bittersweet day for Marini, because Maneely died of Lou Gehrig's disease in 2005, more than a year before the case was decided.
"I'm thrilled to have been part of the whole movement to show people who didn't know what marriage meant, why it was important," said Marini, who plans to attend one couple's ceremony next weekend and probably several more in the next few months.
The state Supreme Court ruled in October that New Jersey must extend all the rights of marriage to gay couples, but left it to lawmakers to decide whether to provide those rights in the form of marriages, civil unions or something else. Lawmakers opted for "civil unions," in part because of opposition from legislators who objected on religious grounds to calling it "marriage."
Marini, a construction contractor, and Maneely, a home-health nurse, were a couple for more than 14 years after meeting at a spiritual retreat in Ocean City. Marini, who had come out as a lesbian in the early 1970s, saw the retreat as a vacation. Maneely, a mother of five who knew how to cook for a big group, was there mostly to run the kitchen.
It was only after meeting Marini that Maneely realized she was gay and sought a divorce from her husband.
Marini restored a home for the couple and Maneely's five children in Haddonfield, a well-heeled suburb near Philadelphia.
The couple golfed, went to the beach, shuttled the kids around and went to women's and gay rights marches in Washington.
Their activism increased five years ago when they joined with six other couples in the lawsuit.
Toward the end of Maneely's life, Marini says, they felt shortchanged because they didn't have the same rights as married couples.
After Maneely fell sick in early 2005, the couple registered as domestic partners under a 2004 New Jersey law that extended some benefits of marriage to gay couples. Under that law, Marini was entitled to make medical decisions for her partner in New Jersey, the way a spouse would.
But much of Maneely's treatment was in a clinic in Philadelphia. There, Marini said, one of Maneely's children had to be listed as next-of-kin.
Marini said, as advocates for gay marriage have often argued, that the benefits of marriage come into play often when one spouse is sick. "It's a time of emergency, a time of hysteria," she said. And a bad time to explain legal rights and status to hospital officials, well-meaning or not, she said.
Phrases like "domestic partner" and "civil union" only add to the confusion, she said, whereas "marriage" is more universally understood.
Gay rights advocates say they will keep pressing for New Jersey to become the second state in the nation to allow gay marriage. Massachusetts is the only state to allow same-sex marriages; Vermont and Connecticut have civil union laws.
At the same time, however, some social conservatives are launching a petition drive to persuade legislators to change the state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Marini says she'll continue to be involved in the political fight for gay marriage, but without Maneely, she says, she won't be part of another lawsuit.
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
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why is this for miller?
I thought it was you who marches in the parade every year. looks like your hard work is paying off.0 -
who fucking cares about marriage anymore. straight marriages are a joke. why gay people would ever want to be associated with an institution that has a 50% failure rate is beyond me.
people should just be happy to have someone that they want to spend the rest of their lives with.0 -
Happiness comes from within. Being legally bound to another person doesn't seem like love to me.If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde0 -
jlew24asu wrote:why is this for miller?
I thought it was you who marches in the parade every year. looks like your hard work is paying off.
Miller is from Jersey and he is always interested in learning about alternative lifestyles. I dont march in the parades but i would if I ever was given the chance because I love parades, including gay parades. I'm not homophobic so it wouldnt bother me in the least. I'm sorry you dont feel the same Mr Hardaway.War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength0 -
Rushlimbo wrote:Miller is from Jersey and he is always interested in learning about alternative lifestyles. I dont march in the parades but i would if I ever was given the chance because I love parades, including gay parades. I'm not homophobic so it wouldnt bother me in the least. I'm sorry you dont feel the same Mr Hardaway.
I fully support your right to marry your boyfriend0 -
jlew24asu wrote:I fully support your right to marry your boyfriend
I dont think my wife would care for that but thanks all the same. So many people on here that I get confused sometimes -- are you the guy thinking about the transgender operation? Sorry if i have you switched with another PJ fan but I'm pretty sure it was someone from Arizona State (large homosexual and trans population there, many closeted) and I see asu in your screenname. Good luck with that if it is you.War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength0 -
Abookamongstthemany wrote:Happiness comes from within. Being legally bound to another person doesn't seem like love to me.
it's not about that. it's about the legal rights of you or your partner and your/their wishes if you/they die.hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say0 -
catefrances wrote:it's not about that. it's about the legal rights of you or your partner and your/their wishes if you/they die.
Yeah, I know. If these rights are exclusive only to married couples then marriage should be available for all. I was only making a statement about the concept of marriage itself.If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde0 -
Abookamongstthemany wrote:Yeah, I know. If these rights are exclusive only to married couples then marriage should be available for all. I was only making a statement about the concept of marriage itself.
i know you were and i'm right there beside you. i'm just in one of those moods.
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say0 -
catefrances wrote:i know you were and i'm right there beside you. i'm just in one of those moods.
Ok then, gotcha. If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde0 -
Rushlimbo wrote:I dont march in the parades but i would if I ever was given the chance because I love parades, including gay parades.
LOL! I'll bet you do...MOSSAD NATO Alphabet Stations (E10)
High Traffic ART EZI FTJ JSR KPA PCD SYN ULX VLB YHF
Low Traffic CIO MIW
Non Traffic ABC BAY FDU GBZ HNC NDP OEM ROV TMS ZWL0 -
hailhailkc wrote:LOL! I'll bet you do...
man, i miss calling guys a fag for not flexing his penis muscles at every opportunity, never having date raped a girl at a frat party, respecting women, being artistic, not caring to get into fights, etc etc. i also miss being allowed to giggle like a schoolgirl every time a classmate talked about his pen cos it was such a clear euphamism for penis. i miss pulling on girls' hair to show them i liked them.
grow up.0 -
soulsinging wrote:i also miss being allowed to giggle like a schoolgirl every time a classmate talked about his pen cos it was such a clear euphamism for penis.
LOL! I'll bet you do...MOSSAD NATO Alphabet Stations (E10)
High Traffic ART EZI FTJ JSR KPA PCD SYN ULX VLB YHF
Low Traffic CIO MIW
Non Traffic ABC BAY FDU GBZ HNC NDP OEM ROV TMS ZWL0 -
hailhailkc wrote:LOL! I'll bet you do...
hows the end times coming? can you still turn the pages to your bible or are they stuck together from your love of the "rapture"?0 -
soulsinging wrote:hows the end times coming? can you still turn the pages to your bible or are they stuck together from your love of the "rapture"?
Arcade Fire.
Awesome.MOSSAD NATO Alphabet Stations (E10)
High Traffic ART EZI FTJ JSR KPA PCD SYN ULX VLB YHF
Low Traffic CIO MIW
Non Traffic ABC BAY FDU GBZ HNC NDP OEM ROV TMS ZWL0 -
hailhailkc wrote:LOL! I'll bet you do...
What is up with all the gay hate tonight? Not directing this question at you really because you're a sad, lost cause. Dont you have a late mass or altar boy meeting or something to be at?War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength0 -
Rushlimbo wrote:What is up with all the gay hate tonight? Not directing this question at you really because you're a sad, lost cause. Dont you have a late mass or altar boy meeting or something to be at?
Don't come with that bullshit. You started this whole thing by trying to call miller out.0 -
The Illinoisemakers wrote:Don't come with that bullshit. You started this whole thing by trying to call miller out.
I started gay hate? Check the dosage levels on your meds.War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength0 -
The Illinoisemakers wrote:Don't come with that bullshit. You started this whole thing by trying to call miller out.
Lord knows Miller never tries to troll on here. You live near Miller or something? LOL.War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength0 -
Rushlimbo wrote:I started gay hate? Check the dosage levels on your meds.
"Enjoy the possibilities Miller." While that might not be gay hate, you were the one looking to start an arguement.0
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