Would people who oppose gay marriage in the U.S. be happy with Civil Unions as it is here, in NZ?
Essentially it's taken the word "marriage" and replaced it with "Civil Union" so that now gay couples in a civil union have the same benefits, the same rights and the same obligations as marriage. So basically, it's marriage under a different name. These rights extend to immigration, next-of-kin status, social welfare, matrimonial property etc. The *only* part that is currently different is the ability to adopt as a gay couple in a civil union relationship,
although people in a non-marital relationship may adopt as individuals.
I believe the last poll I read was that 40% of NZers support gay marriage, which should increase, considering that the older generation tend to be against it, and the younger generation tend to be for.
Also note: pre-op transexuals can get a civil union with a person of the same sex, and then get marriage post-op.
One more thing - if a group such as the
Student Christian Movement in NZ can support civil unions, why not all Christians?
Essay by Stuart Bradshaw - representative of SCM Aotearoa