e-qual-i-ty 1. the state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability. 2. uniform character, as of motion or surface.
Legal Dictionary
the quality or state of being equal: as a : sameness or equivalence in number, quantity, or measure b : likeness or sameness in quality, power, status, or degree
Equality does not mean it is the same. It means equal. Neither same-sex marriage nor domestic partnerships have federal rights, therefore, neither are marriage equality. However, if domestic partnerships had federal rights and same-sex marriage did not then domestic partnerships would be marriage equality and same-sex marriage would not. To define same-sex marriage as marriage equality is a lie. Same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and California proves that. None of those marriage are legally equal to heterosexual marriage. However, same-sex marriages in those states are equal to domestic partnerships in California and the State of Washington.
Big Lies we tell ourselves
1. Sames-sex marriage is marriage equality
2. Domestic partnerships can never be marriage equality
About Me
- Leland Traiman
- I have worked most of my adult life for equal rights for lesbians and gay men. I chaired the 1984 Domestic Partner Task Force for the City of Berkeley which wrote the first domestic partner policy enacted into law. I was the first coordinator for the Berkeley Gay Men's Health Collective in 1977. I successfully fought the Food and Drug Administration when the FDA tried to make it illegal for gay men to be sperm donors. (The FDA still "advises" against using gay sperm donors but there is no legal prohibition against gay donor in FDA regulations.) I currently run the world's only gay sperm bank and fertility service, Rainbow Flag Health Services. Rainbow Flag's current focus is to assist women who wish to do fresh insemination with a known donor. I live with my husband of two decades and our two children. Contact: leland@gayspermbank.com