Governor Gregoire Signs Domestic Partnership Law

[t0dd]

KUOW News
http://kuow.org/program.php?id=17578

It's not marriage. But a new law in Washington state will soon give gay and lesbian couples the same legal rights as married couples. Governor Gregoire signed the measure Monday.

Hundreds of couples, families and children packed into a muggy Seattle community center, to celebrate a victory. They cheered as Governor Chris Gregoire signed the so–called "everything but marriage" bill.

Gregoire: "It is time for all us here in the state of Washington to stand up and say, 'We stand for justice. And we stand for shared responsibility to one another.' Today is that day."

This measure is the latest step in a three–year effort to give gay couples the same rights as married couples. This final piece adds spousal benefits and rights previously denied to some domestic partners, like workers' compensation and disability insurance.

Larry deGroen is a firefighter and paramedic with the City of Bellevue.

If his straight co–workers are injured or die on the job, their spouses can collect unpaid wages and benefits. Now, this law extends that same right to deGroen and other public employees.

deGroen: "I'm on the fire engines and the paramedic unit with another co–worker who, before today, essentially was getting paid more than I have been. And now that disparity is gone."

The law is scheduled to take effect at the end of July. But it faces a possible delay. Opponents want to put a referendum on the November ballot that would overturn the legislation.

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More here: http://kuow.org/program.php?id=17578

:eyes: It is a domestic partnership law, NOT marriage (everything but that!) and the bigots still can't tolerate it.

[bullimiami]

1. dumbass right wingers had to push and push and not just let it be.

they forced the inevitable backlash.