Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Legal Impact of Same Sex Marriage

Legal Impact of Same Sex Marriage VO


Although Vermont passed same-sex marriage into law and several couples took advantage of the new law early Tuesday morning, one civil rights lawyer says there's still a long way to go legally.

She says while those living in Vermont are assured of things like health care, once they're beyond the border, those benefits still might not exist. Fox 44 reports that Wanda Walton and Martha Martin couldn't be happier, they just got their marriage license. But the Georgia couple, who got married in Vermont early yesterday morning won't get those benefits when they head home. Martha Martin says quote -- "In Georgia, they don't recognize this, but for us it's a symbolic act. Lawyers and same-sex marriage activist Beth Robinson calls the new law progress, but says there's still a long way to go. She says as individual states recognize same sex unions, the country as a whole will have to take notice. Robinson says issues, including social security benefits, health plans, and end of life rights will still only be accepted on a state-by-state basis until the federal government steps in.