Do civil unions provide the same legal rights as marriage?
In Florida, civil unions do not provide the same legal rights as marriage. A civil union is a legal relationship between two people, usually of the same sex, that come together for mutual support and companionship. This union does not provide the legal rights that marriage does; such as inheritance rights, adoption rights, and other rights that are granted to a married couple in the eyes of the law. Civil unions are legally recognized by some states, including Florida, but do not carry with them the same weight as a marriage. In a civil union, the couple is not recognized by the state as a married couple needing the protection and rights that come with marriage. The rights that come with marriage are not necessarily materialistic, but more expansive in nature. These include the right to confer legal status on the relationship, the right to manage the estate of a partner upon their death, the ability to make decisions on behalf of a partner who is incapacitated, and the right to visit a partner in the hospital. Civil unions do not provide the same extensive protections and rights that marriage does, but they can provide couples with an opportunity to express their commitment in a meaningful way, and to become legal allies who are afforded some of the same legal rights and responsibilities. All in all, civil unions can grant couples certain rights, but is not equivalent to a marriage.
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