From the Columbian.

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire signed a landmark domestic partners bill yesterday. Under the bill, same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples where at least one of the partners is over 62 will receive a limited number of benefits designed to protect their intimate relationships. As I understand it, registered domestic partners will be entitled to visit their partners in the hospital as well as the ability to approve medical procedures, make funeral arrangements, authorize organ donations, and give consent for autopsies. Registered domestic partners will also be able to inherit--and to administer an estate--in the absence of a will.

While it's still a long shot from full equality, this measure will give same-sex couples, and aging opposite-sex couples an important measure of security in their relationships. Why on earth is it so difficult for Indiana legislators to take these simple steps toward protecting all families?