Washington Legislature passes domestic partner bill

[flamingyouth]

OLYMPIA -- Gays and lesbians can't yet legally wed, but the Legislature took another step toward that end Tuesday by passing domestic partnership legislation for same-sex couples.

"It's not marriage," said Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle. "There are more than 400 state law rights or obligations that don't come with domestic partnership and we are going to have our hands full trying to get those rights and protections, too.

"It's a really important first step in providing some first protections for same-sex couples and their families as well as senior citizens who haven't married and can't afford to do so for various reasons."

The bill passed easily on a 63-35 House vote despite condemnations from conservatives who said the bill was an affront to community values and religious freedom.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/311093_domestic10ww.html

[SeattleGirl]

1. I just saw this on the news.

I'm so glad, not only for gay/lesbian couples, but also for straight domestic partners.