Washington Legislature passes domestic partner bill

[Newsjock]

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

OLYMPIA -- Gays and lesbians can't yet legally wed, but the Legislature took another step toward that end Tuesday by passing domestic partnership legislation for same-sex couples.

... The bill passed easily on a 63-35 House vote despite condemnations from conservatives who said the bill was an affront to community values and religious freedom.

... Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to sign the bill, which previously passed the Senate, into law.

Senate Bill 5336 creates a domestic partnership registry with the state and provides enhanced rights for same-sex couples, including hospital visitation, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, and inheritance rights when there is no will.

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/311093_domestic10ww.html

[sutz12]

1. Wow....go Washington!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Erika]

2. One step at a time

I believe the gay/lesbian witch hunt is over.

[Zenlitened]

3. Hats off to the good people of the State of Washington!

:yourock:

[melnjones]

4. how the hell

is that an affront to relgious freedom?!!??

[Bruce McAuley]

5. About time!

I've been hoping for this for a while here in Washington, it's at least a start for relationship equality for gays and lesbians here.
Been a long time coming, and it's a big step in the right direction.
I'm not gay, but we have friends(and relatives) who are, and to deny them the basics of a stable relationship by civil disenfranchisement is ridiculous.

Bruce

[philosophie_en_rose]

6. I'll bet the next Tim Eyman Initiative will aim to overturn this.

:shrug:

I look forward to seeing this law pass and remain in effect. I imagine the Eyman and fundie crowds will have a field day.

[SnowGoose]

7. Watching the world wake up from history

A line from a Jesus Jones song from several years back - it's the feeling I get when I hear stories like these.

Right here right now,
there's no place I'd rather be.

Right here right now,
watching the world wake up from history.

It seems to me like a race between growing consciousness and rapid environmental degradation.

Everywhere I look, it seems like progress is being made. I really believe people are beginning to wake up - there's no going back. When my grandmother was born, women couldn't vote in national elections in the USA. Let that sink in - women actually couldn't vote. Because... uhhhh... they're women. There's no going back on that one. Only the fruitiest fruitcakes out on the fringe are still even talking about going back.

It's going to be the same way with the full enfranchisement of our GLBT brethren and sisteren. Assuming I'm lucky enough to have children, they're going to be adults in an America that includes same-gender marriages, and in which the ongoing climate crisis are not subjects of debate.

I just wonder how much will be lost between now and then.