CNS - 07/08/98
By Judy Cooley CNS Senior Staff Writer
(CNS) Committed same-sex couples in Colorado should have the same legal rights, benefits and responsibilities as married heterosexual couples according to a recently released report by a state
gubernatorial commission.
Colorado's Democratic Governor Roy Romer established the commission, which has been criticized by both conservatives and liberals, after he vetoed a bill in 1997 that banned same-sex marriages. The draft
report of the Commission on the Rights and Responsibilities of Same-Sex Relationships recommends that the state should change its laws to develop a way to recognize and register committed
relationships, according to the Denver Post.
Steve Schwalm, Senior Analyst for the Family Research Council said this is detrimental to the traditional family. "That's another nail in the coffin of the American family," he said.
Schwalm warns of the attempt to legitimize same-sex marriage. "Obviously people have sort of lost sight of what the purpose of marriage is and that's what's leading to equating marriage with homosexuality," he said. "Marriage has been the foundation of civilzation for thousands of years and cultures around the
world. It's the single most important social institution," he added.
FRC critics don't think they should care about other people's private behavior. However, Schwalm said when homosexuals are "inserting their preferred private behavior into public policy through things like this
it does damage the family."
The commission is especially concerned with children and the legality of adoptions by gay and lesbian parents.
"This will result in more children being raised by homosexuals because it recognizes and legitimizes homosexuality," said Schwalm. "This is another area of why we should care, because children become
involved. When you normalize it and give it government sanction it has the effect of getting children who have no choice in the matter involved in the homosexual lifestyle," he added.
The commission named several laws that should be addressed regarding homosexual marriage rights including probate and inheritance, medical and health-related issues, contractual relationships, health insurance benefits, dissolution of relationships, privileged conversations, workers compensation benefits, wrongful death benefits and other insurance issues.
Gay activists who are opposed to the commission's findings say this is basically legalized apartheid. The Post quotes gay activist Julie Tolleson as saying, "It's like saying we understand and accept that
our relationships aren't going to be treated equally, but there are some bones we can be thrown." |
