Congratulations to Equal Rights Washington and other local activists who worked to get this bill passed.
A bill to expand domestic partnership rights just passed the state senate 29-20, after having already passed the house and it's expected to be signed by Gov. Gregoire soon.
The measure adds domestic partners to sections of laws where previously only spouses were mentioned, including areas referring to probate and trusts, community property and homestead exemptions, and guardianship and powers of attorney.
The underlying domestic partnership law, passed last year, already provides hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, and inheritance rights when there is no will.
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2 Comments
I happen to think that this is overall good news for the GLBT community in the State of Washington, and because it is, for the movement for marriage equality throughout the country. But I also sense, witness the sharp criticism in New Jersey and elsewhere of civil unions, that many would see the "incrementalism" "separate but equal" (in this case "separate in those limited areas where equal") as a bad thing. The whole discussion seems very different one depending on what the situation is in a particular state. I wonder if, in Washington for example, our brothers and sisters would have any benefits at all had there been an "all or nothing" inistance being conveyed to the state legislature.
Don Sherfick | March 5, 2008 1:59 PM
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I'd agree.
Bil Browning | March 5, 2008 7:26 PM
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