Wash. Gov. Signs Domestic Partner Bill

[babylonsister]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8OL6HK00&show_article=1&catnum=0

Wash. Gov. Signs Domestic Partner Bill
Apr 21 03:39 PM US/Eastern
By RACHEL LA CORTE
Associated Press Writer


OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law Saturday a measure to create domestic partnerships, giving gay and lesbian couples some of the same rights that come with marriage.

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

"It offers the hope that one day, all lesbian and gay families will be treated truly equal under the law," said state Sen. Ed Murray, who is one of five openly gay lawmakers in the Legislature.

To be registered, couples have to share a home, not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else and be at least 18.

Unmarried, heterosexual senior couples will also be eligible to register if one partner is at least 62. Lawmakers said that provision, similar to one in California law, was included to help seniors who are at risk of losing pension rights and Social Security benefits if they remarry.

Gregoire received a standing ovation from about 200 people in the ornate reception room at the state Capitol.

"This is a very proud moment for me as governor, to make sure the rights of all of our citizens are equal," Gregoire said.

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[peacetheonlyway]

1. Kudos to the Washington Activists who brought this about

i just moved from Georgia to WA for this very reason.

this state is so very progressive.

it's like i'm almost not in the US anymore this place is so dang cool.

[Laughing Mirror]

2. What is Gov Gregoire crowing about?

"This is a very proud moment for me as governor, to make sure the rights of all of our citizens are equal."

"Some of the same rights" does not mean equal, governor. But what's a proud governor to do when same-sex marriage is illegal in his state.

[mitchtv]

3. HER state

Hey , it's progress, and sure as hell beats Kansas

[Laughing Mirror]

4. I didn't say it's not progress

But it's not anything close to equal rights.