News
2007-03-17
New Mexico mulls
domestic partnerships
New Mexico's
senate was poised to vote Friday on a bill to legalize
same-sex partnerships in the state, and equality advocates
expect
New Mexico's
senate was poised to vote Friday on a bill to legalize
same-sex partnerships in the state, and equality advocates
expect a fight as the 2007 legislative session counted
down to its final hours.
HB 603, the
Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act, would
create a registry in which two adults in a committed
relationship could become domestic partners, gaining
access to basic health care coverage and family
leave as well as presumption of parentage,
inheritance rights, and decision making in case of a
partner's incapacity. It would apply to both same-sex
and unmarried heterosexual partners.
The bill, carried
by Democratic representative Mimi Stewart of
Albuquerque, passed New Mexico's house in February by an
unexpectedly strong 33–24 vote. It faces a
tougher battle in the state senate, where it is among
more than 300 bills to be acted upon before the legislative
session ends Saturday.
"We strongly
believe that all New Mexicans deserve full equality
under the law," Equality New Mexico said in a statement on
its Web site. "However, we believe that
domestic-partner legislation has the best chance of
passing this session. As the statewide LGBT advocacy
organization, we are committed to obtaining the maximum
rights and benefits for as many as possible, as soon
as possible."
New Mexico is one
of only four states that has not defined marriage as
the union of a man and a woman, though efforts to make
the marriage application gender-neutral have failed. A
so-called defense of marriage bill was killed in the
house this year. (Barbara Wilcox, The Advocate)
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