Reply #104: Rights to make medical decisions... [View All]

I knew a gay couple that had been together for over 20 years. One partner died unexpectedly, and since he hadn't thought to write a will, his siblings, who had never approved of the relationship, came into the house and took all their brother's stuff. Legally, there wasn't a thing the surviving partner could do about it, since in the eyes of the law, their relationship had no more standing than ordinary roommates.

There was also a case in Minnesota in which a lesbian was severely injured and paralyzed in an accident. Her parents, who didn't approve of her lesbianism, took the opportunity to bar her partner from visiting her.

In addition, the fact that there is no legal procedure for divorce when same-sex relationships go sour makes breakups even messier than they'd have to be.