Voters will decide if same-sex couples should share in these legal privileges
1,138 rights of marriage
BY SUZANNE PEREZ TOBIAS
The Wichita Eagle
Sun, Mar. 20, 2005
Jerald and Jimalene Cales will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary next month. But ask the Winfield couple to name 10 rights, privileges or benefits they get because they're married, and there's a pause.
"Goodness, I don't know," Jimalene said, chuckling. "You mean I get something?"
Indeed.
A 2004 government report lists more than 1,000 laws that grant special rights to married couples. They range from tax benefits and property rights to decision-making power over medical procedures and burial arrangements.
<snip>
Supporters say the rights-and-incidents clause -- often referred to as "Part B" of the amendment -- is crucial and necessary.
"There was a lot of concern that Part A protect the name of marriage, but Part B was needed to protect the institution of marriage," said the Rev. Terry Fox, a Wichita pastor and leading amendment supporter.
<snip>
Opponents, meanwhile, say Part B pushes the amendment far beyond banning same-sex marriages. They say it calls into question legal contracts made by any resident -- heterosexual couples, single people, family members or friends -- that recreate rights reserved for married couples.
more....
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/11182582.htm