Rick Santorum trots out the hoary "Well, with a good lawyer and some contracts, gays who want to hang out together, no matter how disgusting I find that, can do everything that married couples can do, so why give them any societal recognition?" excuse against marriage equality or even civil unions.
Never mind that might take thousands of dollars, money that straight couples can get around with a simple marriage license. Never mind that that expense might have to be repeated as conditions change.
Never mind that it still finds gay couples unable to file jointly on taxes. Never mind that it doesn't make them legally eligible for federal or state death benefits. Never mind that gay couples where one party is in the military are significantly disadvantaged. Even having a medical power of attorney doesn't oblige hospitals to let gay couples visit.
There's a thousand ways not being able to marry hurts the rights (and obligations) of gay couples, and while civil unions don't resolve all of them, it's a darned sight better than nothing, which is what Rick prefers.
But, then, I don't buy Rick's "some of my best friends are gay" excuse on the subject, either. #ddtb
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Santorum opposes civil unions for same-sex couples – Political Hotsheet – CBS News
The Republican presidential candidate has been a vocal opponent of gay marriage; said today he opposes civil unions as well Read more by Leigh Ann Caldwell on CBS News' Political Hotsheet.