Domestic Partnerships
Same Sex Marriages
While most states do not recognize marriage between homosexuals, some states to allow civil unions and domestic partnerships. You will 
hear many politicians state that they support civil unions but do not support gay marriage. A civil union is defined as ”a legal status available in some states and regions to couples of the same sex as a substitute for full legal marriage.” The benefits that are awarded to gay couples in civil unions can vary from state to state that allows unions however; they are usually less that the federal and local benefits of full legal marriage. A domestic partnership is “a legal status granted to heterosexual and homosexual couples who reside in the same home, usually with less federal and local benefits than that of marriage.” The benefits available to couples in domestic partnerships vary by each state that allows them. Though civil unions and domestic partnerships are a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go as studies show that civil union are not at all equal to marriage and gay couples were viewed and treated differently by government agencies, employers, and others.
Civil Unions
Civil unions exist in only a few places in the United States, Vermont, New Jersey and Connecticut. Since civil unions are decided on a state level, the rights and protections that are granted under civil unions do not extend beyond the border of that particular state. Civil unions only protect a fraction of the 1,000 plus rights protected by marriage. Domestic partnerships are also decided by the state in that some states offer more rights than others. For instance the California domestic partnership law comes with many rights and responsibilities making it very similar to the civil union; however Washington offers very few benefits to the couple. While the protections and rights granted via civil unions and domestic partnerships are not recognized else where, the union itself is not recognized past state borders.
Domestic Partnership
As mentioned previously domestic partnerships and civil unions do not offer all the rights and benefits of marriage. For instance, a U.S citizen who is married can sponsor his or her non-American spouse for immigration into this country. Individuals with civil unions and domestic partnerships do not have that option. Since domestic partnerships and civil unions are not recognized by the federal government, couples are not able to file joint-tax returns or be eligible for tax breaks or protections the government offers to married couples. Civil unions will protect some, but not all of the following benefits: survivor benefits through Social Security, sick leave to care for ailing partner, tax breaks, veterans benefits, insurance breaks, family discounts, obtaining family insurance through your employer, visiting your spouse in the hospital and making medical decisions if your partner is unable to. Domestic partnerships are in essence synonymous to civil unions since it is the individual states that decide wha
t rights will be granted. Domestic partnerships in some states are very similar to civil unions and in other places offer very few benefits and protections.
While civil unions and domestic partnerships are a step in the right direction, it is not enough. Even if the states don’t all legalize gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships should at the very least be granted all the rights given to heterosexual married couples.