With the turn of the new year, gay couples in California are now able to attain similar legal rights as married couples in the state. The AP reports:
Same-sex couples in California for the first time will have access to divorce court for dividing their assets, seeking alimony and securing child support. They also will have automatic parental status over children born during the relationship and responsibility for each other's debts.
Now some cold water... Separate-but-equal must not become the norm and must only be a means to an end, because by its very nature it furthers a system of second class citizenry. Without full marriage status, gay couples remain metaphorically seated at the back of the social bus and drinking from "queer only" water fountains.