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March 3, 2004
what are we fighting for?
Just a few quick notes before I get into my rant. Henry Rollins is comin' to speak on campus tomorrow. I just might go. See recent Rob Clarke illustration I spotted this weekend in a porno mag at Lambda Rising. Got my letters out to professors of yore last night for grad school application. Damn, if the application process is any indication of how the studies will go, it's a good thing I've cut back on the extracurriculars. Say hello, to Paul who comes out of the woodwork.
See you at the protests tonight. Yeah, it's an HRC thing, and I don't like that they're the dominant force in a monarchy of gay rights groups, but it's good to show up and see if the movment is starting to roll. In case you were clueless, here's a list of what we're fighting for (contrary to popular belief, it's not just the fabu weddings that we're interested in):
- Access to Social Security after spouseís death
- Access to health insurance through spouseís workplace
- The right to custody of children after divorce
- Visitation rights for non-biological children
- Joint parenting rights, such as access to childrenís school records
- Bereavement leave after death of a spouse
- Burial determination after the death of a spouse
- Domestic violence intervention
- Sick leave to care for spouse or non-biological child
- Legal validation of a long-term relationship
- Ability to live in neighborhoods deemed ìfamilies onlyî
- Access to life insurance in spouseís workplace
- Access to survivor benefits in case of emergency
- Access to spouseís crime victimís recovery benefits
- Ability to file wrongful death claims
- Right to shared property, child support, and alimony after divorce
- Ability to file joint home and auto insurance policies
- Joint rental leases with automatic renewal rights if spouse dies or leaves
- Access to adopting children
- Automatic inheritance of shared assets after spouseís death
- Automatic inheritance of retirement savings tax-free after spouseís death
- Automatic exemption of property tax increases on shared assets gained after spouseís death
- Ability to file joint tax returns
- Access to tax breaks for married couples
- Veterans discounts based on spouseís armed forces status
- Assumption of spouseís pension after death
- Ability to file joint bankruptcy
- Ability to collect unemployment benefits after leaving a job to relocate because of spouseís job move
- Ability to transfer property from one spouse to another without transfer tax consequences
- Access to fostering children
- Automatic next-of-kin status for emergency medical decisions and hospital visitation status
- Immigration and residency priority for spouses from other countries
- Ability to invoke spousal privilege in a court of law
- Access to reduced rate memberships at health clubs, social clubs, organizations
- Prison visitation rights
Posted by jimbo at March 3, 2004 10:23 AM
Comments
I highly recommend you see Henry Rollins. I have seen his "Spoken Word" and other performances both live and on DVD. ( I own the DVD)
I think you will enjoy his banter and ranting. All common sense with a hint of bitterness and sarcasim that Henry is well known for.
Plus he is one sexy mofo.
Posted by: Dax at March 3, 2004 11:26 AM
Thanks for actually putting the list of rights/benefits that we are fighting for down in print. It is good to see what all the hullabalu is about.
Posted by: ruggerjohnnyd at March 3, 2004 12:52 PM
If you get the chance, DO go see Henry. I saw him in grad school both with the band and his stand-up routine/talk/rant. He's amazing. Of course, not bad to look at either. ;)
Great list, btw. Nice to see it all spelled out.
Posted by: mark at March 3, 2004 2:37 PM
Thanks, Jimbo! It's been said already, but it's nice to see it in print as a reminder.
Posted by: Corin at March 3, 2004 3:11 PM
Definitely go see Rollins, he is worth it. Try to get close enough to smell him- he sweats alot but still smells good.
Posted by: brent at March 3, 2004 4:51 PM