The Fear Factor Jun 20, 2010
This spring, the Supreme Court heard , this time in the state of Washington, who had successfully campaigned to put a referendum on the ballot that would have allowed voters to reverse a state law granting all-but-marriage benefits to domestic partners. After the measure was defeated, the group that had pushed for it asked the Supreme Court to keep private the 138,000 signatures on the ballot petitions. (Slate)
Giannoulias to amend policy on domestic partners Jun 13, 2010
CHICAGO -- Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is set to amend the state office's domestic partnership policy ... The executive order will recognize same-sex domestic partnerships as equivalent to marriages for treasurer's office employees. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Gay federal workers' partners to get benefits Jun 10, 2010
Obama on Wednesday directed federal agencies to immediately begin allowing domestic partners and their children some of the same rights available to spouses and children of employees ... Obama said in a statement that while his directive was an "important step on the path to equality," existing federal law prevented him from taking further action to provide same-sex domestic partners with the same benefits offered to heterosexual married couples. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Employees Same-Sex Partners Gain New Benefits Jun 4, 2010
gov News Article: Federal Employees Same-Sex Domestic Partners Gain New Benefits ... Federal Employees Same-Sex Domestic Partners Gain New Benefits ... WASHINGTON, June 3, 2010 President Barack Obama has extended new benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees, including those within the Defense Department. (DOD DefenseLINK)
Lesbian Congresswoman Splits with Domestic Partner Jun 4, 2010
In 2009, the couple registered as domestic partners in Wisconsin, which will now be legally terminated. Baldwin quietly updated her bio on her official government website to delete the line Tammy and her partner, Lauren Azar, live in Madison in a house. (Human Events Online)
NYC Begins Gay Wedding Ceremonies Jun 4, 2010
The city has allowed gay and lesbian couples to register as domestic partners since 1993 but the additional rights conferred upon them lack validity outside city limits. Domestic partnership bestows gay couples more rights, such as bereavement leave, health insurance benefits and hospital visits as family members ... "We are sending a message to Albany that New York City is doing everything we can to recognize the LGBT community ... giving domestic partners benefits, recognizing same sex... (Newsmax)
IRS adopts state domestic-partner property law Jun 3, 2010
In a significant move for same-sex couples, the Internal Revenue Service has decided to recognize California's community property law and treat the income earned by California registered domestic partners as community property income for federal income tax purposes. The decision, which was issued in a private-letter ruling on Friday, reverses a position the IRS took in 2006, when it said California's registered domestic partners should each report on their own federal tax return only the income... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Repealing 'don't ask': History or hysteria? May 31, 2010
In June 2009, Obama directed federal agencies to extend to federal employees benefits that are granted to domestic partners of federal workers. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton moved to extend many relocation, medical and other benefits to same-sex partners of State Department employees. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Protesters decry Mandels vote on discrimination bill (546) May 29, 2010
As undergraduate student body president of The Ohio State University, Mandel supported benefits for domestic partners, both straight and gay unmarried couples, according to an April 2000 article in The Lantern, OSU s student newspaper. Students want it, students deserve it, and the university has a responsibility to provide it, The Lantern quotes him as saying. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
Defendants in Murdered Lawyer Case Opt for Bench Trial May 13, 2010
Price and Zaborsky are domestic partners. Click. (Law.com)
Court eyes protection of petitioners anonymity Apr 29, 2010
But voters narrowly backed the law that grants registered domestic partners the same legal rights as married couples. While the campaign was under way, gay rights supporters sought access to the petitions under Washington's open records law. (MSNBC -- Politics)
High court hears arguments on privacy Apr 29, 2010
" Wednesday's case, marking the last arguments for the 2009-10 term, pit the state's interest in open government against the privacy rights of the petition signers. "No person should suffer harassment for participating in our political system," said James Bopp, representing organizers of the 2009 petition drive called Protect Marriage Washington. They had been trying to overturn a state law that enhanced the legal rights of domestic partners. Petition signers, known only as John Does, say they... (USA Today -- News)
What's Your Sign? Apr 29, 2010
In 2009, when Washington state granted domestic partners "everything-but-marriage" rights, a group called Protect Marriage Washington submitted petitions, signed by 138,500 residents, calling for a referendum to repeal the law. Washington's Public Records Act makes those names a matter of public record in the interest of transparency and public inspection. (Slate)
Justices Skeptical of Petition-Signer Privacy Arguments Apr 29, 2010
The case, Doe v. Reed, stems from a 2009 referendum on a Washington state law that expanded the rights of registered domestic partners. Referendum 71 resulted from a petition drive by Protect Marriage Washington and other groups seeking to repeal the law. (Law.com)
Court hears dispute on petition signers' names Apr 28, 2010
WASHINGTON Gay rights opponents are asking the Supreme Court to protect the anonymity of the signers of a petition that sought a vote to overturn Washington state's domestic partnership rights ... But voters narrowly backed the law that grants registered domestic partners the same legal rights as married couples. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Wash. Income Tax Initiative To Include Gay Couples Apr 24, 2010
-- Supporters of an initiative campaign to tax the earnings of couples making more than $400,000 annually want to make sure the state's domestic partners are taxed at the same rate as married couples ... In addition to making some technical changes, it adds language to ensure that it is consistent with the state's latest expansion to domestic partnerships ... Gay advocates worried that domestic partnerships in which only one person makes more than $200,000 would be unfairly penalized by the tax.... (KIRO TV, WA)
I heard a lawyer on KFI AM 640 say when a couple lives together (however many) years, they are considered legally married, and if they split up, they have to get a divorce. Is this true? Does this affect Social Security in any way? Thank you for your answer. — Common Law Woman, Brawley'>Common law marriage Apr 24, 2010
" oldgrunt wrote on Apr 23, 2010 2:22 PM:" "Instead, Storey told us, legal issues between either registered domestic partners or even non-registered live-in relationships, are subject to contract law, verbal or written" ... Legal issues between registered domestic partners are subject to the application of the provisions of the California Family Law Code, not contract law ... Last, Social Security is not impacted by registered domestic partnership. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
Texas forces gays to stay married Apr 21, 2010
Couples who are already registered as domestic partners in the city can convert their registration into a marriage license by paying the $10 fee. Supporters expected the day to be festive. (Salon)
Hospitals are no place for discrimination: Editorial Apr 19, 2010
That will be one result of an order that hospitals honor patients' advance directives, including visitation rights for close friends or domestic partners who are not traditional spouses or other relatives. Obama wrote in a memo to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that the presence of loved ones is especially important during hospital stays, but widows and widowers with no children may be denied the "support and comfort of a good friend," as are members of religious orders. (The News-Press -- Opinion)
A big step, but more to go Apr 17, 2010
PRESIDENT OBAMA S order that any hospital accepting Medicare or Medicaid must allow visitation to domestic partners is a significant gesture toward creating a more humane, accepting society. The fact that it feels to most Americans like a basic step, a no-brainer, shows just how much progress has been made in the gay rights movement. (Boston Globe)
Answering readers' income tax questions Apr 15, 2010
For details on the state credit, including requirements for married couples and domestic partners, see. Net Worth runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Gay-rights groups see 2010 Census as progress Apr 5, 2010
And Friedes encourages same-sex couples - including thousands registered as domestic partners in Washington state - to "do what's in your hearts" and check the "husband or wife" box if they see themselves as spouses, even if marriage isn't the term they use to describe their relationship ... But same-sex couples can be married, in domestic partnerships, in civil unions or be designated beneficiaries. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Google's exit is not exactly a windfall for Baidu Apr 2, 2010
But many of the company's domestic partners and advertisers were scared away on fears that Google's sour relationship with the government might impact them ... Google's other domestic partners such as Tom. (People's Daily Online, China)
Would partners of gay troops get benefits? Mar 28, 2010
The State Department extended benefits to gay diplomats, such as the right for their domestic partners to hold diplomatic passports and for paid travel to and from foreign posts. Larry Korb, a senior fellow at the Democratic-led , who served as an assistant secretary of defense in the early 1980s, said what the military would have to work through is similar to what the State Department and some federal agencies have done. (W-USA News, DC)
Time to fix immigration system, Campos says Mar 28, 2010
The clearest option would be granting undocumented immigrants, including LGBT domestic partners, broad access to permanent resident status so they could work and travel freely. It is only when we remove the fear of deportation that we truly remove the burden of second-class citizenship. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
N.Y. Courts May End Civil Unions Performed Elsewhere, Appeals Panel Says Mar 19, 2010
For example, the judge noted that under Public Health Law 2805-q[2][a] and 4201[1][c], domestic partners cannot be denied hospital visitation rights and are allowed to determine the disposition of one another's remains. Also, New York City's administrative code defines "domestic partners" as including members of a civil union and forbids civil union partners from entering into a domestic partnership with anyone else, the judge noted. (Law.com)
Petraeus: Time to consider ending dont ask Mar 17, 2010
6) What about transfers and domestic partners and same base assignments, etc. I could go on and on with a list of probably 100 issues that will crop up as this goes down (and it will happen. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Douglas Harrison: Florida Gulf Coast University should provide equal employment benefits for equal work Mar 17, 2010
Recently, Florida Gulf Coast University has been debating whether to extend equal employment benefits to domestic partners, gay or straight, of university faculty ... Just this month, University of South Florida became the latest state university to extend equal employment benefits to all unmarried couples in verifiable domestic partnerships. (The News-Press -- Opinion)
17-year quest for end-of-life law yields reform Mar 17, 2010
Unexpected objections surfaced year after year, like protests from the gay community that wanted the law to specifically say that "domestic partners" could be decision-makers; or Catholic groups that wanted the law to protect the "fetus" of pregnant women who had become incapacitated, or pro-choice advocates who disapproved of the word "fetus." ... The law says a close relative or close friend of the patient can be a surrogate and gives standing to domestic partners, and the word fetus was... (Albany Times Union)
Md. bill seeks to broaden coverage of federal FMLA provisions Mar 15, 2010
A bill introduced in the would expand the federal Family and Medical Leave Act to include workers who need unpaid time off to care for ailing domestic partners and the children of their domestic partners ... Several states, including California, Connecticut and Vermont, have extended family leave to same-sex domestic partners ... This bill simply acknowledges that protection is equally important for domestic partners and the children of domestic partners, said Morgan Meneses-Sheets, executive... (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
Gay Marriage Legislation Enacted in Washington D.C. Mar 15, 2010
In the past, the Council has allowed domestic partnerships and the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states. With the District legalizing gay marriage, the initial marriage application fee is waived for those already classified as domestic partners, according to the DC Marriage Bureau s website. (Human Events Online)
Domestic partner benefits favored at MU Mar 12, 2010
COLUMBIA (AP) -- The University of Missouri took preliminary steps Thursday toward expanding employee benefits to cover same-sex domestic partners ... In addition to medical insurance, domestic partners recognized by the university could benefit from tuition discounts and pension rights ... Nearly 60 percent of the nation's Fortune 500 companies -- and 83 of the top 100 -- include domestic partners in their benefit plans, according to the Human Rights Campaign Fund, a Washington-based advocacy... (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
Regents look at insurance plans to cut expenses Mar 11, 2010
The system doesn't cover domestic partners. All employees soon will get letters letting them know they'll have a one-month amnesty period in which they can voluntarily drop ineligible dependents. (Athens Banner-Herald)
DC: Hundreds of Couples Seek Gay Marriage Mar 11, 2010
Sinjoyla Townsend, 41, and her partner of 12 years, Angelisa Young, 47, claimed the first spot in line just after 6 a.m. They are already domestic partners in the city but wanted to become legally married ... Eva Townsend and Shana McDavis-Conway had a wedding in St. Croix in 2008 and are registered domestic partners. (CBS News -- US)
California Focus: Poizner sounds like hes channeling John Paul Jones Mar 10, 2010
"I was against gay marriage then, too, but for domestic partners. But as I've worked in Sacramento, I've become more passionately against tax increases and for cutting government spending. I've seen state government in action and that has shaped my thinking.". Poizner insists he will beat Whitman in June because "There will be a small turnout and conservative Republicans will vote for a conservative with a track record. That's me.". (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Same-sex marriage becomes legal in D.C.; line forms Mar 5, 2010
Sinjoyla Townsend, 41, and her partner of 12 years, Angelisa Young, 47, claimed the first spot in line just after 6 a.m. They are already domestic partners in the city, so they are converting the partnership into a marriage license ... Couples who are already registered as domestic partners in the city can convert their registration into a marriage license by paying the $10 fee. (Pensacola News Journal)
University Senate | Faculty raise questions over budget, benefits Mar 4, 2010
A concern raised over the extension of benefits to opposite-sex domestic partners caused Wednesday's University Senate meeting to drift away from its main purpose. Doug Armstrong, a professor of anthropology, said he did not think the university should extend benefits to opposite-sex domestic partners because they have options that same-sex domestic partners do not, such as the ability to legally marry ... Armstrong's proposed motion to eliminate benefits for opposite-sex domestic partners took... (Daily Orange, NY)
Professors: Employee benefits not key issue of SU's budget Mar 2, 2010
But this prudential judgment calls into question the proposed benefits change, which increases the university's exposure in this very area by adding $600,000 of new health care costs to cover just 100 opposite-sex domestic partners who simply voluntarily choose not to get married. Moreover, the estimate of 100 is likely to be low and the costs therefore significantly underestimated in precisely the one area that we do know is out of control. (Daily Orange, NY)
Agenda committee requests benefit proposal numbers Feb 18, 2010
Some of the proposal's more controversial sections include increasing the co-pay on health care benefits for employee dependents, providing a $1,000 offset to a federal tax on same-sex partners, expanding benefits to include opposite-sex domestic partners and ending tuition benefits for children of State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry employees. "The hard data that one would need to fully understand in order to make a considered judgment about the choices... (Daily Orange, NY)
Wash. House: Paid Surrogacy Should Be Legal Feb 16, 2010
The measure also would give state-registered domestic partners access to the Uniform Parentage Act, a law regulating child support and custody. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. (KIRO TV, WA)
Govt relaxes Press Note 1 norms Feb 12, 2010
According to the Press Note 1 guidelines of 2005, foreign companies required NOC from its domestic partners before investing in the same sector. This had created a big hurdle for the foreign companies to diversify their operations in the country. (India Times, India -- Intl Business)
LEONARD PITTS JR.: A step toward trash for 'don't ask, don't tell' Feb 11, 2010
Nine other states - New Jersey, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, Hawaii and Wisconsin - have granted similar rights to gay domestic partners in varying degrees. We already know where this is going. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Campus issues to be discussed Feb 10, 2010
Main points of contention include cutting free tuition to SU for State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry employee dependents, imposing a co-pay for tuition for dependents of SU employees, giving $1,000 to same-sex domestic partners to offset to federal tax and including opposite-sex domestic partners in the benefits. Discussion at the open forum may include the employee benefits proposal, but this is not the purpose of the open forum, said Van Gulick, a member... (Daily Orange, NY)
Proposed changes to employee benefits bolster inclusion on campus Feb 8, 2010
One component of the proposal is to provide same-sex domestic partners with $1,000 to offset the federal tax imposed on them but not applied to heterosexual couples. Cantor said Syracuse University is working toward creating a more inclusive community through the proposed changes. (Daily Orange, NY)
* US military willing to lift ban on gays Feb 4, 2010
Five states and the District of Columbia have adopted laws permitting marriage of gay couples, while nine other states have granted similar rights to gay domestic partners. The publics attitude toward gays and lesbians also has undergone a significant shift. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Defense officials say lift military ban on gays Feb 3, 2010
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, center, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, right, and Defense Undersecretary Robert Hale, testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, (Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP). (Albany Times Union)
Signs of culture shift on gay issues Feb 3, 2010
Nine other states New Jersey, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, Hawaii and Wisconsin have granted similar rights to gay domestic partners in varying degrees. A Pew poll taken last year found that 59 percent of Americans favor allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, up from 52 percent in 1994. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
'Don't ask, don't tell': Times, attitudes have changed Feb 3, 2010
Another nine states - New Jersey, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, Hawaii and Wisconsin - have granted various degrees of similar rights to gay domestic partners. The public's attitude toward gays and lesbians has undergone a shift. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Legal issues taken into account for employee benefits proposal Feb 1, 2010
One proposed benefit enhancement included in the Sustainable Benefits report issued last week would provide a supplement of up to $1,000 to employees who have same-sex domestic partners enrolled in the university's medical plan. This proposed benefit was intended to recognize a tax impact that affects same-sex domestic partners but does not affect employee opposite-sex spouses who receive Syracuse University medical benefits. (Daily Orange, NY)
Pentagon starts clock on lifting gay ban Jan 30, 2010
He noted a bill is pending that would extend to domestic partners benefits such as granting Social Security survivor payments and allowing hospital visitation. Obama said: "My hope is we can get it done.". (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Boies Lands Verbal Punches on Ballot Measure Backer During Proposition 8 Trial Jan 22, 2010
After Boies had Tam acknowledge his support for domestic partnerships and civil unions, he had brought up a letter in which Tam claimed civil unions opened the door in Sweden to marriage between siblings ... "I said I support domestic partnership, not civil unions," Tam said ... Tam: "I don't know about civil unions, I support domestic partnership.". (Law.com)
Mayor: Gay Marriage Views 'Evolved' Jan 20, 2010
Lee Badgett, who also directs research for a gay-related think tank at the University of California, Los Angeles, added that research showed gay couples preferred marriage to taking advantage of domestic partnership laws ... Charles Cooper, another lawyer for Proposition 8 backers, countered that same number of couples registered as domestic partners in 2009 as 2008, even though same-sex marriage was legal in California during a four-month window before voters approved Proposition 8 in 2008 ...... (KSBW 8, CA)
Letters: Turn the tables to find real equality Jan 19, 2010
The Proposition 8 proponents claim that "domestic partners" have equivalent rights and privileges as do "married partners." ... 8 proponents domestic partnerships, and give the Prop ... Then we'll see how "equitable" they'll claim domestic partnerships and marriage really are. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Witness: Gay marriage made her feel like family Jan 17, 2010
Until then, they had been domestic partners. Zia's testimony was intended to show that California's domestic partnership law, which grants same-sex couples the rights of marriage but not the title or the federal benefits, is not an acceptable substitute. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Supreme Court to Consider Privacy Claims Jan 16, 2010
The high court will consider whether Washington state officials can release more than 138,500 names on a petition seeking a vote on overturning the state's domestic partnership rights ... "Opponents of domestic partnership laws argue they would be subject to harassment if their names are put on the Internet, which would ultimately discourage people from saying what they really believe on controversial issues." ... In Washington state, Referendum 71 asked voters to approve or reject the so-called... (CBS News -- Politics)
Couples tell of toll from state gay marriage ban as Prop. 8 trial begins Jan 12, 2010
He questioned what "disabilities" gays suffer from not being allowed to marry, and why registering as domestic partners is not an acceptable alternative. He said gay people hadn't had the right to marry "very long," and asked whether that "doesn't make a difference.". (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Who gets property after a death? Jan 10, 2010
Assuming you are not registered domestic partners, your partner will inherit your property only if you have named him or her in your will. Q: I am the executor of my deceased aunt's estate. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
