On the things you take for granted.

[estriel]

It's that kind of age we're in. My friends are getting engaged, married, have kids. I see engagement announcements, wedding pictures, pregnant bellies, red and crumpled newborn skin all over Facebook

Comments

[inspiredlife]

I really, really get this post. It's tremendously frustrating and saddening that we don't have full equality. But, I really cling to the fact that there have been improvements and we are seeing progress. So often I feel slapped in the face, made to felt inferior, etc but I'm so grateful to live in a time where progress is being made. That being said, I recently ranted a bit on fb so I know where you're coming from.

There is a lot I am still learning about Czech law so I realize I am far from an authority. But my immigration lawyer is pushing us to have a civil union sooner rather than later because it will afford me some rights. I will be granted permanent residency immediately and automatically. So, somewhere in the laws, civil unions are recognized. I realize it doesn't help us in terms of taxes. And the adoption laws in CZ are disgusting. But I am seeing some positive changes.

I am very happy and extremely proud to be from the great state of Massachusetts, the first state to legalize marriage for gays. It would be extremely easy for me to establish residency and marry M there. But, the federal law supersedes state law. So, even if we legally wed, she's not granted a spousal visa or any federal benefits. So, yeah, I get it.

Regarding the city hall wedding, I know some places - France, for instance - where every couple has to marry in city hall and then can choose to have a church "wedding" or other ceremony in addition.

As an American who strongly advocates for the separation of church and state, it is my desire that every couple will have to go through a legal ceremony in the city hall and then can have their own personal ceremony separately, be it a church wedding or something else.

Obviously there's tonnes of issues and many of them aren't black and white. But at the end of the day, we still don't have equality and that pang of "i can't have that" absolutely does suck.