OLYMPIA Cheers and tears filled a Capitol reception room Saturday for the signing of a law extending spousal rights to same-sex couples.
Gov. Chris Gregoire called it a “historic occasion” to be signing legislation ensuring gays and lesbians are not barred from visiting their partners in hospitals, making decisions on their well-being or handling arrangements should they die.
“These are the rights of all Washington families,” she said.
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, author of the legislation and one of the Legislature’s five openly gay lawmakers, said the law “offers hope that one day all gay and lesbian families will be treated truly equal under the law.”
Senate Bill 5336 creates a state-maintained registry of domestic partnerships. To be eligible, the couple must be of the same sex, or, for opposite-sex couples at least one of the partners must be at least 62 years old.
Those who register will have their relationship legally recognized. This will entitle them to rights traditionally reserved for married couples, including:
Opponents worry and supporters hope that the new law pushes the state closer to marriage equality for same-sex couples.
“Giving marriagelike benefits without the benefit of marriage is an unwise social experiment that could have devastating cultural consequences,” pastor Joseph Fuiten of Cedar Park Church in Bothell said in a prepared statement.
“It is another blow to the importance of marriages where children can grow up with a mother and a father,” said Fuiten, who is also president of Positive Christian Agenda, which lobbied against the bill.
Rep. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle, told the crowd at the bill signing that “today marks the beginning down the path toward full equality.
“It may take awhile but that is just how social evolution takes place,” he said.
The bill takes effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which is scheduled to be today.
Gregoire signed into law 36 other pieces of legislation Saturday, including one that protects veterans and those in the military from discrimination in housing, employment and insurance matters.
Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, wrote the bill. It adds veterans and those with military status to the state’s existing law that bans discrimination based on one’s race, gender, age and sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 5123 passed by nearly unanimous votes in the House and the Senate. It will take effect in 90 days.
Another bill signed into law will allow people to register to vote online starting Jan. 1, 2008. It is House Bill 1528.
Applications would be filed through the secretary of state’s office. Those who file online must already possess a Washington driver’s license or identification card.
For each application, the secretary of state must obtain a digital copy of the driver’s license or signature sheet for the ID card.
For information on legislation, go to http://leg.wa.gov.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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