DEAR ABBY: What is this world coming to? My hairdresser, who is gay, told me that a powerful gay group is trying to legalize same-sex marriages.
Abby, I have nothing against homosexuals, but I can't understand why they need a "license" to live together. Please enlighten me. -- FREDA IN FRESNO
DEAR FREDA: In most states, married couples have the legal right to be on each other's health, disability, life insurance and pension plans. They also get special tax exemptions, deductions and refunds. A married person may inherit property and have rights of survivorship that avoid inheritance tax.
If a couple is married, the spouse is legally "next of kin" in case of death or medical emergencies. Marriage is more than a piece of paper; it provides a couple with LEGAL protection.
I have had letters urging me to remind people with AIDS to see a lawyer and have a proper will drawn up in order to ensure that whatever they leave will go specifically to a person of their choice. In the absence of a will -- the nearest next of kin (usually the parents) will inherit everything.