As more and more states pass laws allowing gay marriage, many of us across the country have recently asked ourselves and each other what we think of gay marriage. Ellen DeGeneris had John MCain on her TV talk show and joked about having him walk her down the aisle at her wedding to Portia DeRossi. Gay marriage was legal in California for 5 months in 2008 and then suddenly put asunder. All the 2008 presidential candidates were for domestic partnership for gay unions but not marriage. We have come a long way in talking About Peace Talks and embracing and celebrating homosexuality in our culture. LGBT people are fighting for their right to marry the way others have fought to vote. As more and more same sex couples Mediation are filing for domestic partnership, they are â€coming out†to the public. Unlike coming out to friends and family, this form of coming out is more public and can impact your professional life, as our sexuality suddenly becomes the business of business associates such as bankers, lawyers, real estate brokers, doctors and insurance agents . For some of these professionals, same sex unions may be uncharted territory. There is a learning process going on between these professions and the same sex couple who have a new sense of legitimacy and confidence with the law behind them. Also to be considered is that it is difficult for a heterosexual person to really feel the seriousness of the coming out process. While heterosexuals may be sympathetic and empathetic, without having had the experience of being discriminated against based on their sexuality it may be hard for them to fully grasp the experience. This is what same sex couples have wanted for so long †the legal ability to refer to their partner as husband or wife, and yet there is an adjustment period to go through as the practical aspects of gay unions enter this legal system to which LGBT couples recently gained access. Depending on where you are in your coming out and whether you are in a serious relationship, it is important for you to understand the realities of a gay lifestyle in terms of your legal rights for a union in a love relationship. For more information on the difference between gay marriage and a domestic partnership, click here www.peace-talks.com/samesexcomp.php. Even if you feel whisked away happily ever after by your significant other, the truth is there are certain requirements you must meet for a domestic partnership in California: â€You must live together (but you both don’t have to be on the lease) â€You cannot be married of in another domestic partnership â€You and your significant other cannot be related by blood â€You both must be 18 â€You are both capable of consenting to being in a domestic partnership There is California domestic partnership law which governs each of the following areas: â€Becoming domestic partners â€Property â€Parenting right â€Estate planning and probate â€Criminal law â€Termination of domestic partnership Along with knowing the law, it is important for professionals who facilitate same sex unions to be aware of the social and personal implications of domestic partnerships. When you choose a mediator, make sure that he or she is specifically trained in same sex couples issues and is sensitive to the nuances in these relationships. Coming Out Another aspect of declaring domestic partnership is that couples really come out to the entire community, not just friends, family and their immediate sphere of influence. This is a sensitive issue to address and may require some adjustment on the part of everyone involved. Be patient with each other. The more informed you are of your rights and confident in what you are doing to validate your love relationship in every way possible, the more serene you can be in the face of today’s challenges. The key is to be aware and have the help of a mediator who knows your rights and responsibilities so you can get the most out of your same sex relationship and enjoy the joy of your commitment. For more information on mediation for same sex couples see http://www.peace-talks.com/samesex.php.
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