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.
'gay's already have all the same rights mentally healthy people do. Why do they want special rights?
While I don't agree with the slavery thing I do know that the descendents of those slaves are infinitely better off now than they would have been if left in Africa.
The right of women to vote resulted in 8 years of clinton and most of the big government liberal welfare type programs we are burdened with now. They still tend to vote on how they 'feel' instead of on what's right or wrong. (Most Freeper ladies excepted of course)
And just what is wrong with a union of two male gerbils, a female great Dane, a boy, and a woman? How about three men and a feather duster? If the touchstone of "legally recognized union" is whatever floats your boat in private, then the results are clearly ridiculous.
Incorrect.
And what do you have to say about Christians who believe the most fundamental (i.e., central, foundational, basic) aspects of our beliefs?
Do you prefer Christians whose beliefs are doughnut shaped?
"Finally, my mate will be recognized by society." (Comment by Susan Sarrandon)
There it goes indeed. I think we are going over the edge. Does it really matter if we go over with our foot on the gas or on the brake?
You are mistaken, at least in the case of Cook County. That is the authority you would go to to get a Marriage License.
I will pray, but some prayers do go unanswered, and The Big Guy may deliberately pass on this one.
The tough one here is that, as Romans 1 teaches, extreme and demented sinfulness is in itself a judgment from God, for consistent sin.
We can 'shoot' for mercy, though.
...but the kicker there is that to furnish this, God looks for repentence (turning to Him in abandonment of egocentrism). Of course, there is a Way to do this....
I think it is time for straight pride.
We could make this pretty interesting. Let's invite people who are proud of their heterosexuality to gather and march in a parade. Just like the gays we could walk half dressed down Main Street and have overt, sexual acts going on for all to see.
Yeah, that's the ticket...
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