Deep Structure: Why non-bigots oppose gay marriage

[LA Ute]

Yes, obviously, it could. I was just pointing out that not all governeing sovereigns agreeon the issue.

They're troublesome that way.

[Jacob]

The state law does not, of course, confer federal tax benfits on gay couples.

Nor federal tax penalties. And since most gay marriages are childless, I suppose more gays than not would be penalized with the higher tax rates that apply to married couples.

[SoCalCoug]

Here's the Calfornia domestic partnership law in all its glory (with some emphasis added:



At bottom, what we really are fighting about what we call the status: "marriage" or "domestic partner." For a discussion of what I think the real issue is, I like this blog post.

Domestic partners have the same rights under state law (except to call themselves "married"). They don't have the same rights under federal law.