Tag Archives: domestic partners

Domestic Partners Bill Advances To Full Nevada Senate Vote

A Nevada state Senate committee has approved a bill granting domestic partners benefits to same-sex couples, sending it on to the full Senate. Senate Bill 283 would allow gay couples the right to enter into domestic partnerships, which would grant the same benefits to partners as married couples. It now will have to clear the Senate floor, where Democrats hold …

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WA: Domestic Partners Legislation Poised For Approval By House, Gov To Sign

The Washington Values Alliance rallied about 1000 protesters to the state capital yesterday to “Stand Up For Marriage” in a “last gasp” against the state’s coming domestic partners legislation. The new law will give gay couples all the rights of marriage except the name. Via Dominic Holden at Slog: “I think the rally is probably more of an attempt by …

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Washington Senate OKs Domestic Partners

Yesterday the Washington state Senate approved domestic partners legislation that would give gay couples all the rights of marriage (but not the name.) The bill passed on a mostly party-line 30-18 vote Tuesday night and now heads to the House. The Senate rejected two Republican amendments, including one that would have sent the measure to voters. The bill expands on …

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Tammy Baldwin To Introduce Bill Granting Benefits To Partners Of Federal Employees

Some time this month, openly lesbian Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) plans to introduce legislation to grant benefits to the domestic partners of federal employees. The bill would grant the partners of gay federal employees the same benefits that are available to the spouses of straight employees. Versions of the bill considered in the last session of Congress would have granted …

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Domestic Partners Bill Dies In New Mexico

For the third year in a row, the New Mexico Senate has rejected a domestic partners bill. The New Mexico Senate just voted down a bill that would have recognized domestic partnerships by a 25-17 vote. Ten Democrats joined the body’s 15 Republicans in voting against the bill, which would have given many of the same benefits enjoyed by married …

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Colorado Senate Gives Initial OK On Health Benefits For Domestic Partners

Yesterday a bill granting health benefits for the domestic partners of state employees was approved by the Colorado state Senate, although the bill must voted on one more time before it can move to the state House. The measure (Senate Bill 88) would add domestic partners to the list of dependents eligible for coverage. Same-sex partners who have been in …

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New Mexico Senate To Vote On Domestic Partners Bill

New Mexico’s domestic partners bill has finally cleared its committee roadblock and will be voted on by the full Senate. The bill had stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month. The deadlock was broken Monday when the committee voted 6-5 to send the bill to the Senate without recommendation whether it be approved or rejected. Sen. Bernadette Sanchez, …

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Hungary Tries Again On Domestic Partners

Months after a court struck down a domestic partners act because it was too similar to marriage, which their constitution holds is only for a man and a woman, the Hungarian government is trying again. The Hungarian Government has approved a new bill on registered partnerships. It replaces a previous law on registered partnership that was struck down by the …

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Phoenix Begins Domestic Partners Registry

Nice news from Phoenix, Arizona. Despite the dreary weather, about 10 gay couples made the trip to Phoenix City Hall Monday morning to be among the first to register with the city as domestic partners. The registry, which is open to unmarried gay or straight couples who share a Phoenix residence, grants partner visitation rights in all hospitals, nursing homes, …

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New Mexico Advances On Domestic Partners

New Mexico, one of the few states that has not banned or approved same-sex marriages, moved slightly closer to equality last week when a state senate committee narrowly approved advancing a domestic partners bill to the judiciary committee. The Senate Public Affairs Committee voted 5-4 to give a favorable recommendation to the measure (SB 12), which would extend the same …

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Washington State Goes For
“Everything But Marriage”

Lawmakers in Washington state are submitting a bill that will offer same-sex couples all the rights and responsibilities of marriage – but not the name. Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, who sponsored the state’s domestic partnership law in 2007, is sponsoring the expansion bill in the Senate this year; Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, is sponsoring the measure in the House. A …

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Orlando Gives Domestic Partner Benefits

Nice news from my hometown*: Orlando is expected to become the first Central Florida city to offer benefits to the partners of gay employees. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the employees will have to sign an affidavit declaring they are in a committed relationship. Orlando city commissioners are expected to approve the plan on Monday. There are currently 18 Orlando …

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Arizona To Grant Health Benefits To Partners Of State Workers

Arizona is set to approve health benefits for the partners of state employees. The domestic partners of state employees, gay or straight, will be eligible for health coverage and other benefits under a plan approved Tuesday by a state oversight panel. The Governor’s Regulatory Review Council, with three members missing or abstaining, voted 4-0 to approve the benefits expansion. It …

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Hey, There’s A NEW Mexico!

By a narrow margin, New Mexico’s House of Representative approved a statewide domestic partners law that would grant gay couples the same rights and benefits as married couples. The legislation must now pass the state Senate before appearing on the desk of Gov. Bill Richardson. New Mexico’s Senate Majority Leader, Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, is “cautiously optimistic” that the bill will …

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Texas Prof On Hunger Strike For Same-Sex Domestic Partners Benefits

A University of Texas lecturer is in the third day of a hunger strike to protest the school’s lack of same-sex domestic partners benefits. Uri Horesh, 37, is subsisting on water and vitamins until his demands are met. “The fact that the university is conducting itself in this manner makes me feel like I’m a persona non grata here, a …

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