Double Take on Civil Unions

Keeping It Queer
By Erica Chu

Double Take on Civil Unions

Because of the tremendous efforts of activist organizations and concerned citizens, civil unions are finally going to be available for same-sex couples in Illinois.  This is great news, but there are also other sides to the story.  Below I’ve listed three of the big reasons we should celebrate the passing of the civil unions bill followed by some thoughts on what else we might consider as we move forward.

1. The passing of the civil unions bill is a sign that social attitudes are changing.  It’s only been 7 years since gay sex has been legal nationwide.  Since then, the nation has undergone a major change in its attitudes toward gays and lesbians.  Passing laws that protect same-sex couples in the same way different-sex couples are protected sends a message to American society that such unfairness is unacceptable.

Of course the era of equality and tranquility will not arrive when the new law takes effect.  It’s easy to assume all of Illinois is progressive when we’re in our accepting work environments, when we eat and shop in neighborhoods like Andersonville and Lakeview, or when our families have become more supportive over the years.  Yet not everyone is surrounded by such affirmation. 

Though progress is surely on the way, even with civil unions, it’s not here yet.  We have to keep coming out and staying proud, protesting bigotry wherever we find it, challenging ignorance even among those we love, and we must keep giving to organizations that work to support our most vulnerable LGBTQAI members.  Social attitudes are changing, but not everyone experiences relative freedom.  We have to keep working to benefit our entire community.

2. People can now benefit from the rights and privileges civil unions ensure.  For many couples, civil unions will allow families to make medical and legal decisions as well as share benefits and property more easily, more reliably, and with less expense.  On the one hand, I’m happy this method is now available.  It’s simply unfair that different-sex couples have this process available to them while others don’t. 

On the other hand, if I want my sister to make all my medical decisions or a close friend to be in charge of my assets should I become incapacitated, I’d have to hire a lawyer, pay a lot of fees, and keep my documents up to date.  If our friend MJ were to move in with T and I, she couldn’t be added to my health insurance plan no matter what I pay a lawyer, and why not?  The government is only interested in my romantic relationships (only one at a time at that), and my relationship is a central factor in my ability to obtain medical coverage, to share or leave property, and to designate who should make decisions for me.

Should the right to decent healthcare be determined by relationship status? Why should the government favor one kind of family structure over others?  Shouldn’t a wide variety of kinship structures be valued?  It’s inconvenient that legal protections cost so much and are so difficult to obtain, but why should romantically involved couples (gay or straight) have access to a major advantage while others aren’t?  A much fairer system would value the individual no matter what kinship structure is chosen.

3. Civil unions are a step toward full equality.  Civil unions are not recognized in all other states or by the federal government, but as more and more states work toward civil unions and ultimately civil marriage, the chances for federal recognition and protection increase. 

Marriage is a useful pathway to justice, but it’s my hope that the fight for gay marriage causes state and federal governments to lose interest in the romantic relationships of their citizens.  Non-traditional familial structures in all their diversity should have the same access to legal benefits as straight couples.  State and federal governments should focus on the individual’s ability to easily, inexpensively, and reliably make and share decisions about their life and property with whomever they choose—regardless of romantic relationships.

As many among us look forward to planning our civil union ceremonies, let’s remember that just because we might taste a bit of justice, these new laws don't actually benefit all.  Equality would allow all citizens the same rights no matter what sexual orientation, kinship structure, or chosen life.  Let’s keep taking step after step because the road to justice is long indeed.


Erica Chu is a student at Loyola University Chicago and is seeking a PhD in English with a concentration in Women Studies and Gender Studies.  She manages the blog keepingitqueer.blogspot.com and can be reached at ericachu@msn.com.