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F'losrix
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 7977
Location: Michigan, Washtenaw County
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:07 am Post subject: Michigan House gives preference to next of kin |
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LANSING - A bill passed unanimously by the Michigan House on May 4 would deny individuals the right to make their own funeral arrangements. Under HB 4870, an individual's next of kin would be given the right to decide everything from whether the person is buried or cremated to who would be allowed to attend the funeral, regardless of any arrangements made by the deceased with a funeral home or in their will.
http://www.pridesource.com/rssarticle.shtml?article=18879
As usual, the Michigan state house writes another crappy law. This one, despite its alleged good intentions (giving the courts direction in resolving disputes between family members), winds up taking away the ability of a person's domestic partner to make sure the deceased's last wishes are honored, since the state treats them like legal strangers (thanks to an overly broad amendment banning legal recognition of gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships). In fact, it removes the assurance that anyone's prior arrangements and last wishes will be honored, giving the final authority to potentially misguided or even estranged family members.
One more reason for people to flee the crumbling state of Michigan. |
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Valdimar
Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 711
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:38 am Post subject: |
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It won't take a genius to figure out the true motivation behind that....
I'm so glad I don't live around there anymore. Love my home (Ohio), but I wouldn't go back there to save my life; it truly breaks my heart to say that too. |
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Enoch
Joined: 29 Aug 2005
Posts: 8556
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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| For many reasons, I am surprised anyone actually lives in Michigan. This is just the most recent example of the nuttiness that is the state of Michigan. |
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Valdimar
Joined: 12 Dec 2004
Posts: 711
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Ann Arbor isn't too bad. I had many friends that went to school there. |
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F'losrix
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 7977
Location: Michigan, Washtenaw County
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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Valdimar wrote: Ann Arbor isn't too bad. I had many friends that went to school there.
True enough - but Ann Arbor is still subject to the same crappy laws as the rest of the state. I moved to the Ann Arbor area 11+ years ago because it was the best option I had without leaving the state (and my family). Now it seems I'm stuck choosing between the possibility of living somewhere less restrictive versus being within reasonable distance of two sets of elderly parents that need our support. So far the needs of my family are winning out over my own, but if they keep passing laws like this one it's going to be a real hardship for us to stay. |
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toddytodd
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 2736
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Skeptical Mystic wrote: Valdimar wrote: Ann Arbor isn't too bad. I had many friends that went to school there.
True enough - but Ann Arbor is still subject to the same crappy laws as the rest of the state. I moved to the Ann Arbor area 11+ years ago because it was the best option I had without leaving the state (and my family). Now it seems I'm stuck choosing between the possibility of living somewhere less restrictive versus being within reasonable distance of two sets of elderly parents that need our support. So far the needs of my family are winning out over my own, but if they keep passing laws like this one it's going to be a real hardship for us to stay.
This is a very good point that many people miss. Gay people have family that cares for them and, many times, needs to be cared for by the gay children. Many of the laws make it difficult for gay people to live there lives on different fronts. It is very selfless for one to bare some personal burdens to care for family members. That is very commendable. I will never understand politics and politicians, that's for sure |
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Enoch
Joined: 29 Aug 2005
Posts: 8556
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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toddytodd wrote: Skeptical Mystic wrote: Valdimar wrote: Ann Arbor isn't too bad. I had many friends that went to school there.
True enough - but Ann Arbor is still subject to the same crappy laws as the rest of the state. I moved to the Ann Arbor area 11+ years ago because it was the best option I had without leaving the state (and my family). Now it seems I'm stuck choosing between the possibility of living somewhere less restrictive versus being within reasonable distance of two sets of elderly parents that need our support. So far the needs of my family are winning out over my own, but if they keep passing laws like this one it's going to be a real hardship for us to stay.
This is a very good point that many people miss. Gay people have family that cares for them and, many times, needs to be cared for by the gay children. Many of the laws make it difficult for gay people to live there lives on different fronts. It is very selfless for one to bare some personal burdens to care for family members. That is very commendable. I will never understand politics and politicians, that's for sure Maybe I am misunderstanding you. It appears as if you are saying that the estates of gay men and lesbians SHOULD be released to next of kin, regardless of the wishes of the deseased, in case they have parents that need to be cared for. |
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toddytodd
Joined: 20 May 2006
Posts: 2736
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| Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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UrielsFyre wrote: toddytodd wrote: Skeptical Mystic wrote: Valdimar wrote: Ann Arbor isn't too bad. I had many friends that went to school there.
True enough - but Ann Arbor is still subject to the same crappy laws as the rest of the state. I moved to the Ann Arbor area 11+ years ago because it was the best option I had without leaving the state (and my family). Now it seems I'm stuck choosing between the possibility of living somewhere less restrictive versus being within reasonable distance of two sets of elderly parents that need our support. So far the needs of my family are winning out over my own, but if they keep passing laws like this one it's going to be a real hardship for us to stay.
This is a very good point that many people miss. Gay people have family that cares for them and, many times, needs to be cared for by the gay children. Many of the laws make it difficult for gay people to live there lives on different fronts. It is very selfless for one to bare some personal burdens to care for family members. That is very commendable. I will never understand politics and politicians, that's for sure Maybe I am misunderstanding you. It appears as if you are saying that the estates of gay men and lesbians SHOULD be released to next of kin, regardless of the wishes of the deseased, in case they have parents that need to be cared for.
No - sorry. I admit I kinda' rambled. In the case Skeptical Mystic, it appears that he is enduring some hardships for himself (things that make him uncomfortable) to stay around to help care for elderly parents/family members. Meaning if he wasn't willing to stay and help his family, he could alleviate some of this issues or pressures. But because he has strong family values (which is commendable), he willingly stays & endures these issues that directly effect him.
I hope that made more sense. |
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