Posted on 04/21/2007 1:22:52 PM PDT by kinoxi
OLYMPIA, Wash. - 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.
Sorry, forgot to click ‘excerpt’.
Do they have to have sex? I mean, can any two people sign up for this even if they have no sexual relationship?
Oh...and why the age discrimination?
In a provision similar to California law, unmarried, heterosexual senior couples are also eligible for domestic partnerships if one partner is at least 62. Lawmakers said that provision was included to help seniors who are at risk of losing pension rights and Social Security benefits if they remarry.
The new law will take effect in July. Couples can either register with the Secretary of State in Olympia, or download the form from the Web site and send it in to register and receive a certificate of the partnership.
That’s what it looks like. We’ll start seeing the illegals use this immediately I’m sure.
There’ll be a gay old time on Washington State tonight!
That’s just nasty.
This will open Pandora’s box for legal issues. Only homos and lawyers profit from this, especially the lawyers. In no way does it serve the common good.
there really isn’t much here to get to upset about - these “rights” like hospital visitation, organ donation - who really cares if these people want to willfully agree to these between themselves.
If I’m not mistaken, Washington state has a referendum ballot. Just put a repeal of this on the 2008 general election ballot and watch the church-going conservatives turn out.
Could put this state’s electoral votes in play. The same thing may be going on in Oregon.
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How can they prevent straight couples from enjoying the same rights and privileges?
Says it all. They want special rights, nothing less will do.
This is a stepping stone for marriage for sure. Why not let everyone get these partnerships for the benefits? Maybe a bisexual is in love with two people, and the three would like the benefits? Why should Washington be discrimatory to them?
Once again liberals are shoving filth down the throats of Americans even though they continually vote against this garbage. This is what you get from a liberal who steals an election. The GOP has failed the people of Washington.
Ugh.
That will happen along with Fraudorie losing badly in her re-election.
There still is hope for this state.
Can't wait to sign it!
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