Considering California and Massachusetts' legalization of same s*x marriage, how will "last names" work.

Question

The law will surely have to establish some protocols. In hetero marriages the woman usually takes the man's last name. Will same-s*x couples hyphenate their names? Probably, but which one will come first and why? Can the couples choose? Will the last name, more traditionally be that of the more masculine partner? This is bound to come up, so I want to see how you think this will resolve.

Answer 1

My history teacher is married and maintains his last name. He also has a daughter-- I'm not sure what her last name is, but presumably this means he and his partner have worked something out.

My mother didn't change her name when she married my father, and I have a hyphenated last name. Many other people at my high school also have hyphenated last names. Traditionally, the name with the letter earlier in the alphabet goes first, as this means the child of the couple (or the members of the couple themselves) will be earlier on lists. (Example: Johnson-Smith instead of Smith-Johnson)

In the Broadway play Spelling Bee, one character has two fathers. They combine their last names, making her Loganne Schwartsandgrubinerre (Schwarts AND grubinerre).

Answer 2

I highly doubt any protocols will be established- they aren't required in hetero marriages.  I think it will all be personal opinion on what they want to do- go with one name, hyphenate, or even combine the two for a new last name.

Answer 3

I'm sure the partners will work out something for themselves.

And there are no LAW protocols in hetero marriages.

Answer 4

It'll be up to the couples. There are no rules, not even for straight people. (Except in states where a man has to go through endless layers of red tape to take his wife's name, which is, of course, ridiculous.)

Answer 5

Even in hetero marriages, the woman does not always take the man's name. It's the most common practice, but I also know of couples where the man took the woman's name, or where both hyphenated their names. It's totally up to the couple, they can do whatever they like. And it's the same thing for g*y couples - they can decide which name they'll keep, or alternately they can keep both. Believe it or not, some people just don't need social norms to tell them what to do or how to live. ;)