CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A Republican proposal to allow same-sex couples and others to receive some limited benefits is in limbo after a Colorado senate committee in Denver deadlocked Monday over whether to support it. The measure allows any two people who can't marry to sign up and obtain rights normally granted to married couples, such as automatically inheriting the other's property and workers' compensation and survivor's benefits. It could apply to everyone from gay couples to two elderly sisters. The three Republicans on the senate business, labor, and technology committee backed the bill, but the three Democrats on the committee voted against it. The committee's fourth Democrat, Sen. Deanna Hanna, left in the middle of the meeting and didn't vote. Sponsor senator Shawn Mitchell said he needs to check the rule book to see if there's a way to move it on to the senate floor. He wants senators to consider it along with a Democratic domestic-partnership proposal that would give same-sex couples the same rights as married couples under state law. Mitchell's bill has the backing of Focus on the Family's public-policy arm and Colorado's three Roman Catholic bishops but has been criticized by others who oppose any protections for same-sex couples. "We do not believe that homosexual couples should be given special rights, nor do we believe that they should be set aside for special discrimination," said Jim Pfaff of Focus on the Family Action. Same-sex couples and others can already get the rights outlined in the bill if they hire an attorney to draw up the necessary contracts, but this proposal would save them money and streamline that process. Michael Brewer, public policy director for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center of Colorado, has thanked Focus on the Family for its support but said the proposal doesn't go far enough. For example, a gay person wouldn't be able to sue for a partner's wrongful death and could still be forced to testify against a partner in court, something married spouses don't have to do. Brewer, a member of Equal Rights Colorado, said the group didn't oppose the bill but can't support it either. "In our view, convenience doesn't equal progress," he said. (AP)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Pride
Yahoo FeedIndulge in luxury and sensuality with The Pride Store’s Taurus gift guide
April 22 2024 11:46 AM
The gay man leading the Earth Day Initiative offers hope for the future
April 22 2024 9:00 AM
Pattie Gonia takes drag and fierceness to Capitol Hill to voice environmental concerns
April 22 2024 8:23 AM
Jodie Foster leaves her mark in cement at L.A.'s Chinese Theatre
April 22 2024 7:55 AM
Climate change has a bigger impact on LGBTQ+ couples than straight couples. Here's how
April 22 2024 7:42 AM
Iraq postpones vote on bill punishing gay sex with death
April 20 2024 1:31 PM
Russian poetry contest bans entries from transgender poets
April 20 2024 1:25 PM
Here's who won 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 16
April 20 2024 1:01 PM
The Tip Off: A beginners guide to the WNBA
April 20 2024 11:06 AM
John Fetterman challenges Pa. school board’s cancellation of talk by gay actor
April 19 2024 2:39 PM
New study finds inadequate response to mpox outbreak
April 19 2024 2:06 PM
Fighting back against MAGA’s attacks on equality
April 19 2024 1:00 PM