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The status of legal recognition of same-sex couples in the United States is a matter of intense debate. Presently legal recognition of same-sex couples has taken four forms: civil unions, marriages, reciprocal benefits, and domestic partnerships.
Forty states have passed laws or constitutional amendments banning marriages between those of the same-sex. However, only a small minority of states have laws or constitutional amendments specifically banning any legal recognition of same-sex unions in other arrangements.
Six states and the District of Columbia currently have established laws with provisions allowing legal recognition of same-sex unions. In Massachusetts the recognition takes the form of marriage, while in Vermont it is seen in civil unions, in California, New Jersey, Maine, and the District of Columbia it is present in domestic partnerships. Hawaii State offers legal recognition in the form of reciprocal benefits.
Public opinion on the issue generally shows most Americans opposing recognition of same-sex unions through marriages. Civil unions, reciprocal benefits, and domestic partnerships are seen in a less controversial light with Americans evenly divided.
In the 2004 Presidential Campaign legal recognition of same-sex unions became a major topic. Incumbent George W. Bush, the Republican Party candidate held a stance in supporting the ban of marriages between those of the same-sex on a federal level while supporting state-sanctioned civil unions, reciprocal benefits, or domestic partnerships. Challenger John F. Kerry, the Democratic Party candidate took a similar position supporting the ban of marriages between same-sex couples on a state level while supporting civil unions, reciprocal benefits, and domestic partnerships.
The position of President George W. Bush conflicts with his political party. During the Republican Party Convention in 2004 the platform of the party called for a ban on all forms of legal recognition of same-sex unions. President George W. Bush has called that specific part of the party platform wrong. After his re-election President Bush indicated to the Washington Times that he would no longer lobby for the amendment to the federal Constitution banning marriages between same-sex couples unless the Defense of Marriage Act were ruled unconstitutional.
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