Posted on 04/11/2007 8:07:10 AM PDT by Princip. Conservative
OLYMPIA, Wash. - A domestic-partnership bill for gay and lesbian couples that cleared the state Legislature on Tuesday was hailed by supporters and criticized by opponents as a first step toward same-sex marriage.
The House passed the measure by a 63-35 vote after a rather tame hourlong debate. Two Democrats opposed the bill and three Republicans supported it. The Senate passed the legislation last month.
It now goes to the governor, who is expected to sign it.
"From the Palouse to Alki Point, this bill provides real relief," state Rep. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle, told lawmakers during the debate. "If you've ever fallen in love, I call on you to support this legislation whether you welcome it or it makes you uncomfortable."
Most Republicans were clearly uncomfortable.
"There's no question about it, this is a bad, bad bill," state Rep. John Ahern, R-Spokane said. "This is really a sad day."
State Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, said the legislation "includes some rights that many (Republicans) believe ought to be reserved and have historically been reserved for the marital relationship."
The legislation would give gay and lesbian couples the right to visit a partner in the hospital, inherit the partner's property without a will and make funeral arrangements, among other things.
Those rights also would be extended to unmarried heterosexual couples in which at least one partner is 62 or older.
(Excerpt) Read more at montereyherald.com ...
Even still, not a good sign. Washington is a state like Colorado or Oregon where we conservatives are playing defence.
Next year, the Seattle gay gestapo will be crying about how insulting domestic partnerships are.
As much as I despise this kind of legislation now that it is passed I am pissed that they didn’t approve this for ALL un-married couples regardless of their age. That to me is real discrimination against my personal situation...
Why just couples?
Which is EXCATLY the reason that, We The People, aren't "allowed" to vote on the issue. It would be beaten like a redheaded step child.
Phew! I almost said nappy headed......
He is such a waste of oxygen, and an enemy of all that is good in the world.
"If you've ever fallen in love, I call on you to support this legislation whether you welcome it or it makes you uncomfortable."
McDermot is in love with himself more than anything.
Washington state has turned into a smaller version of California. Where minority rules when it comes to politics.
Ahh-—they’re so cute when they play house. /s
“Those rights also would be extended to unmarried heterosexual couples in which at least one partner is 62 or older.”
This about says it all. The gay lobby demands the same rights as heteros but don’t want heteros to have the same rights as them.
“Next year, the Seattle gay gestapo will be crying about how insulting domestic partnerships are.”
As the old saying goes, you give them an inch and they’ll take a mile. They won’t be happy until religious conservatives are executed for opposing them.
“If they did, Chris/Christine/Kristy/Kristina Gregoire wouldn’t stand a chance next year. She still doesn’t have a chance, but it would be embarrassing how badly she would lose.”
How I hope Dino Rossi or someone with a brain in their head will unseat Gregoire. I’m always very concerned when the Democrats enjoy absolute power in the state government like the Dems do in Washington.
“Which is EXCATLY the reason that, We The People, aren’t “allowed” to vote on the issue. It would be beaten like a redheaded step child.
Phew! I almost said nappy headed......”
Exactly. Why do you suppose the same queer rights activists are fighting tooth and nail to STOP A VOTE in the Massachusetts legislature on the gay marriage ban that’s moving forward in the Bay State. You see, crazy activists like these don’t want people voting on these issues, because then it reveals just how unpopular sexual perversion really is in America.
this is a very limited bill, compared to NJ for example. Look at the list of items in the article:
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS
The bill would allow qualifying partners to:
_Have the same hospital-visitation rights as a spouse.
_Give consent for health care if a partner isn’t competent.
_Inherit property when there is no will.
_Administer a partner’s estate when there is no will.
_Authorize organ and tissue donation.
_Make burial and other arrangements after a partner’s death.
This is nothing.
“He is such a waste of oxygen, and an enemy of all that is good in the world.”
Seattle liberals are like San Francisco liberals. Every time they open their mouths, the truth is non-existent.
“Washington state has turned into a smaller version of California. Where minority rules when it comes to politics.”
While I agree with you about this in some ways, it’s clear that the Washington State Democrats are a little more divided amongst themselves on issues like this. The fact that the Dems control the entire state goverment and were still reluctant to approve anything more than this does tell us something. But the trend is not good. We need to get a GOP governor in Olympia and/or a GOP majority in one or both of the houses of the legislature.
Actually, Joe McDermott is correct: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/house/mcdermott/
I did some research and discovered that Joe and Jim are not related.
Quote from Joe's website: "McDermott is a third-generation resident of West Seattle where he lives with his partner, Michael," ... (snicker)
according to the above, you get all your gay lovers assets even without a will.......now that doesn’t hold true to most people that cohabitate.....
to make health care decisions.....geesh.....if there is no will and you know you're going to get all your gay lover's money and stuff, wouldn't you hasten his or her death if you had the chance?
again....this could be somebody who has a 2 week relatonship....
these are agreements the two parties consent to be in. its not mandated, just permitted.
the gay marriage battle is going to be hard enough to win (depending on the state) - its not worth getting bogged down worrying about whether two men want to permit each other to be their health care proxy.
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