Posted on 07/01/2003 3:49:34 PM PDT by unspun
By The Leader-Chicago Bureau (chicago@illinoisleader.com) - Opposite sex domestic partnerships not to be included, clerk's office says
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| Rev Bob VandenBosch, lobbyist for Concerned Christian Americans said today is a "sad day for Cook County and the state of Illinois." |
The certificates will be available to Cook County residents in 90 days, but only to couples who are of the same sex. No heterosexual domestic partnerships will be authorized to receive the certificate according to the Cook County Clerk's office.
Cook County Clerk David Orr's office has been preparing for this development. Scott Burnham, spokesman for the Clerk, said today that those who are applying will need to pay $30 and both of the partners will need to come in personally to obtain the domestic partnership certificate.
"When the couple comes in, they will need to fulfill some requirements before obtaining the certificate," Burnham said. "They will need to swear that they are not legally married to someone of the opposite sex, that they are living together in a committed relationship, and they are both over eighteen years of age."
Burnham said that the certificate will provide private sector employers with proof that their employees are in a relationship, opening the way for health care insurance for the other person in the relationship.
“The only purpose that I can see is to incrementally create a new form of marriage in Cook County and then work to expand it to the entire state. It’s a step toward giving rights and benefits to couples who do not qualify for marriage,” Kathy Valente, state director of Concerned Women for America of Illinois said.
The ordinance, which was sponsored by Commissioners Mike Quigley, John Stroger and Mayor Richard M. Daley's brother, John Daley, easily passed the board with one "present" vote. Commissioner Carl Hansen spoke out against the ordinance.
"This is a sad day for Cook County, and for the state of Illinois," Rev. Bob VandenBosch of Villa Park said today. VandenBosch has lobbied against preferential rights for homosexuals at the state capitol for over ten years.
"This ordinance today only muddies up the waters on the issue of marriage," VandenBosch, on the staff of the Quentin Road Baptist Church, said today. "How will these couples register, how will they un-register their partnerships?"
Burnham said that the couples will un-register in a similar way that they register -- likely to be simply filing paperwork, "nothing as complicated as getting a divorce."'
Will bi-sexuals be allowed to register with more than one person in their relationships?
"You need to call Quigley's office for that answer," Burnham said. "I am assuming that only two persons will be allowed to be included in a domestic partnership, just as it is with marriage certificates."
Questions about inheritance provisions, medical care authorization and asset disbursement in case of partnership termination has not been clearly outlined either, the clerk's office said.
"The homosexual movement has always wanted preferential treatment, and now they have it in Cook County," VandenBosch said. "The only hope for marriage to be protected in Illinois is for the church to begin an outcry against this. With the Supreme Court's decision last week, and this decision today, maybe onlookers will finally get involved in protecting our children's future."
_______________ What are your thoughts concerning the issues raised in this story? Write us at letters@illinoisleader.com.
Don't mention it! If it gets more publicity they might invite reporters to their practice sessions like the "Bulls" do! 8-o
O-k Anna, how do you like this tag line? (You'll have to "come into" wild Cook County to see it, a-course.)
You're confusing libertineism with liberty.
Liberty doesn't mean anarchy. Society has a right to set moral boundaries, and it's exactly the reason we have laws against rape, theft and murder.
Homosexuality promotes an unsanitary, unsafe, promiscuous lifestyle that is dangerous to the health of the overrall population, let alone the dangers to themselves because of the activities they engage in.
Society has every right to define moral boundaries and to prevent deviant, degenerate members of society from inflicting their moral sickness on the rest of the country.
I trust that's not because you're tempted. :-` Not at all, I'm sure. But along with the other abominations in our society, it may some day be something that people would flee from one state to another about, as mentioned -- and maybe eventually coming to hostilities, as with the Civil War. (Not promoting the idea.)
Let's have a Marriage Amendment and a Life Amendment !!
What's special about wanting to be able to make decisions about your loved one's medical care or estate, currently not legal for gay couples? Or getting to keep the child you've helped raised if something happens to your loved one? Seems as if heterosexual married couples get those "special rights" - why not gay couples?
I can't speak for the rest of the country. But in Illinois blaming the religious right is a half-truth. Corruption and lack of morals/honesty by the Republican establishment has scared the most people away. But a role is played by the religious right also.
When Newt pushed the contract with America, millions of religious right got organized, registered to vote and voted Republican who had never voted before (or since). In later years when we ignored the contract with America and attacked Clinton's personal sins, the religious right stayed at home and did not vote at all.
The professional political consultants (and you) don't understand what really motivates us fundies
When Newt pushed the contract with America, millions of religious right got organized, registered to vote and voted Republican who had never voted before (or since). In later years when we ignored the contract with America and attacked Clinton's personal sins, the religious right stayed at home and did not vote at all.
LOL.... O-o-o-h my.... Well put. Yes, the people of central faith and conviction who have not behaved according to the admonition of the Lord to participate in all of our responsibilities (even, when the People are Caesar, to behave as Caesar and "give" what we owe, unto ourselves!) are in part to blame....
Hear, hear.
Look, when you are getting married, you can register pretty much anywhere - Crate and Barrel, Marshall Fields...I don't know why Cook County had to get involved. ; )
I'm single and frankly, the way things have gone in the last twenty some years, why would I expect that to change? So, do you suppose I can register at thest stores, then send out invitations for an non-wedding? Call it a singularity! Everybody can come and see me declare my intentions to live until death does me part. Then they can throw rice and give me presents. Think it would work?
I didn't. See post #34. He made the argument about the founding fathers making sodomy a capital crime. I do think I'm allowed to respond to things other people bring up especially when addressed directly to me.
Was this supposed to be a bad idea? :) That's one parade I'd actually attend.
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