Civil union issues tied to elderly couples

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 15 (UPI) -- An Illinois lawmaker says he is trying to promote a civil unions bill in the state Legislature by bringing to light the needs of elderly straight couples.

State Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, says civil union issues not only impact gay couples, but also have a strong impact on heterosexual senior citizens, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday.

Many unmarried senor citizens have cited concerns about running into legal roadblocks when their heterosexual mates are not allowed to make important choices for them near the end of their lives, the report said.

The Post-Dispatch said the bill would give equal rights to gay and married couples, including healthcare options, funeral choices and hospital visitation.

"These are really basic rights that every couple in Illinois should have," said Harris, who is gay. "There's a lot of confusion between the concept of civil unions and same-sex marriage. This is not same-sex marriage."