Most people around the world desire to share their lives with partners of their liking, regardless of sexual orientation. However, this is not allowed where gay couples are concerned. Gay marriages are not recognized by the US constitution. A constant struggle is going on to legalize same-sex marriages through out the country.
             To allow same sex partners to enjoy the same benefits as heterosexual couples, a bill was enacted in Vermont in April 2000, allowing gay couples to enter civil union with almost all the benefits and responsibilities of marriage (Civil Union in Vermont, 1). This bill has given them the right to inherit from a partner in the absence of a will, the right to bring a lawsuit for wrongful death of a spouse, the right to workers' compensation and other spousal economic benefits, the right to refrain from revealing a marital communications in a lawsuit, the presumption of joint ownership of property, etc. Theses rights are beneficial not only to these couples, but also to their children. For example, if the non-biological parent of the child dies without a will, the child would be left without any financial support or inheritance right from the parent. This is now remedied by the new bill. Also, without the new bill, only the biological parent of the child had the right to make decision about the child's medical treatment in case of emergency. With the issuance of the new bill, gay couples are also entitled to this right. Moreover, these parents are now eligible for parental leave, subsidized child care, health insurance, and child support as well. But theses benefits are available only to the registered couples in Vermont, and the state has no power to confer any of the numerous federal marriage benefits to these families (William, 23).
             Even though the Vermont Civil Union has given gay couples numerous rights, the right to marry the same-sex partners is still under debate. People against gay m
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