Marriage is not merely based in sentiment but on exclusive consentual sexual agreement of a man and woman for life.

What is the point of the State legalizing a sentimental same sex bonding relationship if it does not produce offspring?

The State has no purpose in keeping such a record as it will never of itself produce children.

Married couples are affected by State Welfare payments no matter the age; they receive less welfare than two single.

However under Shariah registering same sex partners could be an advantage to have anul sex criminalised.

Philo <"What is the point of the State legalizing a sentimental same sex bonding relationship if it does not produce offspring? The State has no purpose in keeping such a record as it will never of itself produce children. "

So, you are suggesting that older heterosexual couples, infertile heterosexual couples, and gay couples do not get married because they will never produce children then Philo?

That's a bit harsh isn't it?
What if one or the other of the gay couple actually do produce offspring? Can they marry then?

(PS Anal sex is spelled with 2 A's)

Dear Aime,

It is important to some couples and I guess everyone wants
to have the right to marry if they so choose and not have
someone of a religious persuasion forbid them to do it
simply because they don't fit into their version of what a
marriage should be. It should be a private matter between
two consenting adults (hetero or gay - no difference).

As the old adage says - "We should all be for the
separation of church and hate."

Aime "shacking up" is one thing but wanting to spend the rest of your life with the person you love is the real thing.
You have to be aware that homosexuality was once a criminal status, and an example for you in mirror form for those days, if you fancied
(assuming your female)a bloke and had sex with him you would be charged by law for that alleged sex act, because the law stated what you did was illegal.
During those years and even today gay people self harm and kill themselves because of the stigma that is placed upon them, just because of whom they are.
Aime you will never know why same sex loving couples want marriage, until you walk a mile in their shoes,and experience what they have had to deal with in their lives
It is not about understanding, it is about accepting that their are other people in life with emotional needs, other than our individual selves.

signed:
Kipp and Baz Same sex happy couple this 35 years.

Lexi, I had the impression that it can be more difficult for unmarried couples (of any orientation) when it comes to "Next of Kin" type situations.

Suzie may have a better idea on that but my impression is that if there is no formal recognition of a relationship then things could get tricky when it comes to urgent medical decisions (consent for medical treatment for an incapacitated partner or in the worst case turning off life support, organ donation etc).

There are probably other ways around that (enduring power of attorney etc) but I suspect it could be much more difficult in some situations than if you are married.

At least for defacto hetrosexual couples it's a statement of where they choose to be rather than all that's allowed.

R0bert

Dear RObert,

I believe that in cases of defacto relationships - you have to
be able to prove that you were in a defacto relationship. The
legal rights are the same for both hetero and same-sex couples.
Anyway, here's a website that may help:

http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/defacto.htm

Of course the laws may be different in each state.