Expert: Dennis - 4/4/2009

Question
I would like to know what the difference is between gay marriage and civil union in terms of the rights availabe. In some debates I have heard that the only difference is the word "marriage" and that in all other respects the two are the same. Thank you.

Answer
There are legal differences depending on what a particular State writes into its "civil union" laws. A civil union is basically a legal contract between two people that specifically  identifies what is allowed.

Some civil unions allow for inheritance, medical decisions, local tax exemptions, etc. Depending on the State - the rules may be different.

"Marriage" is a universally accepted definition. Federal tax law gives a certain exemption to a "married" spouse, and a different kind of exemption to a "partner," or two people living under the same roof.

The local differences concerning "marriage" generally fall under a State's divorce laws, but marriage is pretty much universal. Married partners a pretty much co-equal legally. Civil Unions may or may not be.