Law school hosts debate on same-sex unions

The Williams Project on Sexual Orientation Law will host a
three-on-three debate Monday at the UCLA School of Law, addressing
whether same-sex couples should have rights recognized by the
law.

The debate comes three months after former Gov. Gray Davis
signed legislation granting same-sex couples in California many
legal rights previously available only to married couples and less
than a month after the Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court
ruled to allow gay marriage in the state.

The Massachusetts court provided a 180-day period delaying the
implementation of its decision, giving state lawmakers enough time
to pass legislation granting same-sex couples the right to civil
union.

Though the Massachusetts ruling is significant, law Professor
Grace Blumberg said California is “more special than
Massachusetts” because of the domestic partners legislation
Davis signed in August.

“(The law) now treats domestic partners as though they are
spouses for every purpose in California. … It’s the only
state where this has been done without a court coming in and
saying, “˜You have to do it,'” said Blumberg, who
will be arguing at Monday’s debate in favor of legal
recognition of same-sex couples.

The issue of legally recognizing same-sex relationships is one
that addresses deeper issues than granting those couples rights
like child support and shared property, Blumberg added.

“Every human being should have a right to have his or her
intimate relationship with another human being recognized. …
It’s about dignity,” she said.

Erwin Chemerinsky, a USC law professor and executive director of
Equality California, an organization that promotes equality for
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians, will join
Blumberg on the affirmative side of the debate.

Brigham Young University law Professors William Duncan and Lynn
Wardle, and Maggie Gallagher, president of the Institute for
Marriage and Public Policy, will argue against legalizing gay
marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships.

Legally recognizing same-sex couples would be harmful to
society, particularly to families with children, said Wardle, who
believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.

“It’s best for children, and it’s best for
society,” he said.

The event is free and open to the public. It will be held in
room 1430 at the law school. To register, call (310)
825-0971.

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