Supporters of reciprocal partnerships say it's a matter of simple equality. If gay couples can get benefits of marriage, they should, too. I'm not interested in taking benefits away from anyone, Harry Daniels of Barre said earlier this month. I'm certainly not looking for any more benefits, but I think we shouldn't have any less, either. The attorney general's office warned the committee that its proposal might be unconstitutional because of subtle changes it would make in the way relationships could be formed.
Civil unions are essentially a mirror image of marriage.
Couples are required to go to their town clerk to obtain a license and then the relationship must be certified by a justice of the peace, judge or member of the clergy. Getting out of a civil union requires divorce proceedings in Family Court. Reciprocal partnerships certificates would be granted by the Health Department and, because they would be considered merely a contract, would not require a marriage-like ceremony. Unless the split-up were contested, getting out of a partnership would not require divorce proceedings. But if it were contested, it could result in a mother and a son, for example, debating in court the division of their property and possibly even custody over children.