Couples Gather to Learn About Civil Unions

January 27, 2007

by FRED R. SAVANA
Bucks County Courier Times

Beginning Feb. 19, same-sex couples can begin registering to strengthen their legal commitment in the state of New Jersey.

The state will begin performing civil unions on Feb. 19, which is none too soon for many who have been waiting years to have the same protections offered to heterosexual couples.

On Wednesday night, about 60 people attended a panel discussion at the Raven in New Hope, just over the bridge from Lambertville, to learn more about the process and what it will mean to enter into a civil union.

Stephen Hyland, a New Jersey attorney who assisted with creating the state's civil union law, told the audience that while New Jersey has had domestic partnerships for some time, a civil union will extend their rights and responsibilities.

I like to emphasize the responsibilities and the obligations, said Hyland.

Like a marriage, partners will have the right to expect support, said the attorney. Couples with children will have legal parenting responsibilities and ending the relationship will be similar to a divorce.

It's not an easy process to get out of a civil union in New Jersey, Hyland said.

The ceremony, which can be conducted by anyone who can perform a marriage, will be recognized in other states that have similar laws, including Vermont, Connecticut and California. However, the federal government does not recognize the union.

Public officials who perform marriages, such as mayors, are obligated to either perform the unions or give up officiating at marriages, Hyland said. Some mayors in New Jersey have said they would stop performing marriages if it meant they would have to perform civil unions, said the lawyer.

New Hope's mayor, Larry Keller, said he would gladly perform civil unions if they were legal in Pennsylvania.

For Craig Ross, 45, and Richard Cash, 53, of Somerset, N.J., a civil union is a step in the right direction but falls short of what they want.

It's a huge difference in our minds, said Ross of not being able to marry. It's sanctioned like a marriage but in reality, it's not one.

Still, said Cash, It's better than nothing.

The law will provide greater protection for couples when it comes to hospital visitation and the authority to make medical decisions for a partner, the ability to own property jointly and the ability to adopt.

Cash and Ross, like many in the audience and on the panel, agreed that within the next several years, marriage will become legal for same-sex couples in a growing number of states and, said Hyland, will face less public opposition.

Stephen Glassman, chairman of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, said he was unhappy to report that Pennsylvania does not offer the same protections as its neighbor in New Jersey.

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