MFI opposes the passage of any legislation that would bestow the same rights and benefits of marriage on a relationship other than one between a man and a woman, including same-sex civil unions or domestic partnerships. No special legal protections or benefits should be granted based solely on sexual preference. The creation of these special designations is not only discriminatory, but has the same effect as same-sex marriage in devaluing marriage and leading to the collapse of the institution.
MFI does, however, recognize that there are people in interdependent, mutually supportive relationships who are ineligible for marriage but nevertheless would benefit from a status similar to next-of-kin. To this end, MFI supports the Benefits Fairness Act, proposed legislation written to create a new category of contractual relationships entitled “reciprocal beneficiary contracts” to define basic benefits.