A bill that would
extend an additional 160 rights to registered
domestic partners in Washington State was passed on a vote
of 62–32 by the state house Friday.
A bill that would
extend an additional 160 rights to registered
domestic partners in Washington state was passed on a vote
of 62–32 by the state house Friday. The
measure, cosponsored by 59 out of 98 house members,
would create greater parity for same-sex couples and
heterosexual couples by expanding state-provided benefits.
"It is indeed
symbolic that this vote comes as the 11th annual
National Freedom to Marry Week comes to a close," Equal
Rights Washington's Connie Watts said in a statement.
"Equal Rights Washington and the prime sponsors of the
Domestic Partnership Expansion Bill have been clear
and unequivocal in stating that we are seeking full
marriage equality for families formed by gay and lesbian
couples."
Equal
Rights Washington expects the bill to pass through the
senate, where a majority of the members are
cosponsors.
"However, it is
important to remember that even when this bill becomes
law, gay and lesbian couples will only be afforded fewer
than 200 of the 1,400 legal protections enjoyed by
legally married couples in Washington state," she
continued.
Since the state
passed its initial domestic-partnership law in July 2007,
more than 3,300 couples have registered. Both same-sex
couples and opposite-sex couples in which at least one
of the partners is 62 years old or older are eligible
for the registry.
According to a
poll of Washington voters, only 22% said that same-sex
couples should have no legal recognition. Thirty-five
percent supported full marriage equality, followed by
24% who agreed with giving gay and lesbian couples an
equitable contract, and 14% who support limited legal
recognition. (The Advocate)
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