[Thorondir]

I got you, my friend. You are exactly right. But east up on the caps. Ease up before our eyes start bleeding.

[mvpel]

Consider this situation - two individuals, both male or female, take your pick - have been living together in a relationship for 15 years. They hold a joint checking account, own their home as joint tenants, and have thoroughly intertwined their lives out of their commitment and devotion to each other.

Suddenly, one of them takes ill with leukemia.

Suddenly, the judgmental parents of the ill person show up, and prohibit any contact from their child's life partner, and take out a restraining order.

What legal recourse does that person have?

None whatsoever.

Is that right? Is that fair?

There's more to the question of "marriage" here than most people seem to realize.