Arizona budget isn't just numbers _ it's policy too Jun 4, 2009
That would exclude employees' domestic partners who were made eligible under administrative rule changes implemented last year under then-Gov. Janet Napolitano's administration. (FOX 11, AZ)
Group plans to publicize domestic partnership petition signers Jun 3, 2009
OLYMPIA Gay rights supporters plan to publish online the names of people signing petitions for Referendum 71, which seeks a public vote to overturn broader domestic partnerships for same-sex couples ... If R-71 qualifies for the statewide ballot, it would ask voters to either accept or reject the most recent expansion of the state s domestic partnerships for same-sex couples ... Opposite-gender seniors also can register as domestic partners. (Longview Daily News, WA)
2009 Nevada Legislature Draws to a Close Jun 2, 2009
The completed override votes included one enacting SB283, providing various legal rights for domestic partners, and another enacting AB562, the $6. 8 billion appropriations act which funds state government operations for the next two fiscal years. (KLAS-TV)
Nevada Lawmakers Reject Veto of Partnership Bill Jun 2, 2009
-- Nevada's Assembly voted Sunday to override Gov. Jim Gibbons' veto and to change state law so that domestic partners, whether gay or straight, have many of the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples ... The bill provides that domestic partners have the same rights as married couples in matters such as community property and responsibility for debts ... It also prohibits discrimination against domestic partners. (Newsmax)
Nevada Senate backs partnership bill over gov May 31, 2009
- The Nevada Senate has voted to override Gov. Jim Gibbons' veto of a measure that gives domestic partners, whether gay or straight, many of the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples ... The bill provides that domestic partners have the same rights as married couples in matters such as community property and responsibility for debts ... Critics contended domestic partners can sign private contracts to accomplish many of the goals of the bill, and that it conflicted with the... (Anchorage Daily News)
Highlights of state budget passed by committee May 30, 2009
- Gay and lesbian couples who live together could form domestic partnerships and receive some of the same benefits as married couples, including jointly owning property, hospital visitation rights and inheriting one another s assets. Domestic partners of state employees could receive the same state retirement and health insurance benefits as spouses. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Foes of same-sex marriage: What did you gain? May 29, 2009
Had a bare majority of California voters changed the Constitution so as to deny mixed racial couples the designation "marriage" (while still allowing them to be "domestic partners"), I think the Supreme Court would have come to a different conclusion. TRENT THORNLEY. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Poll: Majority of Americans Oppose Gay Marriage May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009. SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWS ALERTS. (Newsmax)
Prop. 8 stands; more ballot battles ahead May 28, 2009
Defenders of the law argued that it merely preserved the traditional definition of marriage and that same-sex couples who registered as domestic partners had all the rights of heterosexual married couples under state law ... 8 is a valid amendment because, "excepting the name, same-sex couples are entitled to enjoy all the rights of marriage, leaving the state with a continuing duty to "eliminate the remaining important differences between marriage and domestic partnership, both in substance and... (San Francisco Chronicle)
'Bittersweet' for many wedded couples May 28, 2009
"They wouldn't allow me into the emergency room even though we are domestic partners," Villaseor recalled. "They kept saying I wasn't her married partner. And I kept saying, 'But we're not allowed to get married, don't you understand?' ". (San Francisco Chronicle)
Walker Catoosa Dade Medical Society minutes May 28, 2009
The spouses Medical Alliance has voted to withhold dues from the American Medical Alliance, their national organization, because of the redefinition of those eligible for membership to include domestic partners. Our spouses believe that this broadening of eligibility of membership reduces the traditional highly regarded partnership between a physician and his or her spouse in the service given to their community by both parties in a medical marriage. (WWalker County Messenger, GA)
Calif. domestic partners urged to register May 28, 2009
domestic partners to register by July 1 - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal ... domestic partners to register by July 1 ... Some California domestic partners have until June 30 to register for the same property rights as married couples, Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone said on Wednesday. (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Self Directed IRAs Provide Overlooked Opportunities for Domestic Partners May 28, 2009
PENSCO Trust Company explains that domestic partners when it comes to self-directed IRA investing are not "disqualified persons" under the tax laws ... One overlooked area is domestic partners- How they can invest with each other, unlike husband/wife or investing with children ... Domestic partners when it comes to self-directed IRA investing are not "disqualified persons" under the tax laws. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Governor Gibbons Vetoes Domestic Partnership Bill May 27, 2009
Gov. Jim Gibbons has vetoed a law that would give domestic partners, whether gay or straight, many of the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples ... Gibbons says domestic partners can also sign private contracts to accomplish many of the goals of the law ... The measure would prohibit discrimination against domestic partners, and give them the same community property and debt rights as married couples. (KLAS-TV)
Prop. 8 Upheld May 27, 2009
2000: The Legislature grants more benefits to registered domestic partners. 2002: Domestic partners given additional rights under state law ... 2003: Gov. Davis signs legislation granting registered domestic partners nearly all remaining rights and responsibilities available to married spouses under California law. (Modesto Bee, CA)
California high court upholds gay marriage ban (772) May 27, 2009
kes wrote on May 26, 2009 3:05 PM:" The big difference between a "traditional marriage" and a "civil union" is that a Civil Union can be done away with by a vote of the people, it seems marriage can't be. Lawyers will tell domestic partners to solidify the relationship via legal paperwork (such as with an iron-clad Will, legal, court adoptions of children, etc.) regardless of whether or not they have filed as domestic partners with the State. Why? Because you never know when those rights granted... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Letters to the Editor May 27, 2009
This is the issue: The state of California does not allow opposite-sex partners to register as domestic partners unless one partner is over the age of 65 (for Social Security reasons). Only same-sex partners can be domestic partners with no limitations and therefore be allowed on each other's insurance. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Calif. Court Upholds Prop. 8 (San Francisco) May 27, 2009
The court majority said gay couples would continue to have the right to choose life partners and enter into "committed, officially recognized and protected family relationships" that enjoy all the benefits of marriage under the state's domestic partnership law ... In a separate, concurring opinion, Associate Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar noted a couple of rights that married couples have that domestic partners do not, and suggested that the state now has the duty "to eliminate the remaining... (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Calif. ruling unlikely to end gay marriage fight May 27, 2009
"In an allusion to the state's domestic partners law, George noted that Proposition 8 left undisturbed "all of the other extremely significant substantive aspects of a same-sex couple's state constitutional right to establish an officially recognized and protected family relationship and the guarantee of equal protection under the laws. "In addition to rejecting the gay-rights lawyers' contention that Proposition 8 was an illegal constitutional revision, the court also flatly discarded state... (Boston Globe)
Nevada guv vetoes domestic partners bill May 26, 2009
Nevada governor vetoes domestic partnership bill. Article:Nevada governor vetoes domestic partnership bill:/n/a/2009/05/25/state/n161242D27 ... DTL Article:Nevada governor vetoes domestic partnership bill:/n/a/2009/05/25/state/n161242D27. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Gay US Diplomats To Receive Equal Benefits May 24, 2009
"Providing training, medical care and other benefits to domestic partners promote the cohesiveness, safety and effectiveness of our posts abroad," she says in the message, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press ... "At bottom, the department will provide these benefits for both opposite-sex and same-sex domestic partners because it is the right thing to do," Clinton says ... Among the benefits that will now be granted gay diplomats: the right of domestic partners to hold diplomatic... (Click2Houston, TX)
High court prospects may trip over own words May 23, 2009
Backing gay rights, including striking down state bans on same-sex marriage and ordering country clubs to offer gay members who register as domestic partners the same benefits they give married couples. Upholding local governments' bans on gun shows on their property. (AZCentral -- News)
REGION: Prop. 8 decision due Tuesday May 23, 2009
The concern is for practical reasons, too, Bauer said, because the marriage also meant her new wife immediately received the benefit of Bauer's health insurance ---- something Bauer said the insurance company would not provide when the two women were just registered domestic partners. Vista resident Penny Harrington, a supporter of the ban on same-sex marriage and a member of Concerned Women of America of California, said the coming court decision is "critically important to the concept of 'we... (North County Times)
Nevada Assembly endorses domestic partner bill May 16, 2009
(AP) - The Nevada Assembly voted 26-14 Friday to approve a bill that gives domestic partners, whether gay or straight, many of the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples ... Assemblyman Ty Cobb, R-Reno, opposed the bill, saying domestic partners can sign private contracts to accomplish many of the goals of SB283. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
Security Head At Maryland Jail Suspended During Probe May 14, 2009
An attorney for Costello acknowledges that the women moved in together within two weeks of Krick's release and were domestic partners for years, but denies that the women were involved while Krick was an inmate. Your Comments. (W-USA News, DC)
Nevada legislative panel endorses domestic partner bill May 13, 2009
(AP) - On a party-line vote, the Assembly Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday for a bill to give domestic partners, whether gay or straight, many of the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples ... David Parks, D-Las Vegas, the openly gay sponsor of SB283, says domestic partnerships have been upheld across the country ... The measure provides that domestic partners have the same rights as married couples in matters such as community property and responsibility for debts. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
Franklin County GOP censures state lawmaker over domestic partnership bill May 8, 2009
Maureen Walsh of Walla Walla for co-sponsoring a bill to expand Washington s domestic partnership rights ... She tells the Tri-City Herald that she believes expanding domestic partnerships is the right thing to do ... The Legislature approved a measure giving same-sex and other couples registered as domestic partners the same legal rights as married couples. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Nevada legislators focus on budget-closings May 5, 2009
On Friday, Assembly Judiciary takes up SB283, a Senate-approved bill that gives domestic partners, whether gay or straight, most of the same rights as married couples. Senate-Assembly subcommittees plan to close more budgets, including those for Nevada's higher education system, which faces major cuts under Gov. Jim Gibbons' spending plans. (KRNV.com, NV)
Challenge to domestic partnership expansion filed May 5, 2009
- Opponents of an "everything but marriage" bill for same-sex domestic partners have started their bid to overturn the latest effort to expand the state's domestic partnership law. A referendum to the bill that passed the Legislature last month was filed Monday. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Lawmaking in the dark May 4, 2009
By law, we are now giving insurance benefits to domestic partners. Miss California lost the U.S.A. pageant for saying that Marriage is between a man and a woman, and her sponsors are scampering around trying to get her to apologize for her comments. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Should the gay marriage movement become more tolerant of other viewpoints? May 2, 2009
This bimbo didn t even understand what the issues on domestic partnerships and gay adoption were ... - Benefits are up to the individual companies and most have provisions for domestic partners. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Sharp Doubles Loss Estimate May 1, 2009
The company would shift overseas some output of key components such as panels and solar cells with domestic partners to lessen the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and control capital spending, a departure from its usual strategy of making core products at home. Sharp faced an uphill task to make the new business model work. (JCN Network, Japan)
Gay man says he was forced out of partner's room at OHSU Apr 28, 2009
PORTLAND -- A visit to Oregon Health and Science University hospital turned into a frustrating situation for a gay couple who said their rights as domestic partners were not honored until a lawyer got involved ... Under Oregon law, Patrick had the right to stay in the room because the pair had been legal domestic partners for nine months. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR)
Nevada lawmakers hit another deadline for bill action Apr 28, 2009
(AP) -- Nevada legislators took action on dozens of measures, including a vote to approve a domestic partners bill, in efforts to meet a Tuesday deadline for approving the bills or seeing them end up on the 2009 session's scrap heap ... One of the last bills approved, on a 12-9 Senate vote, was SB283, the bill that gives domestic partners, whether gay or straight, most of the same rights as married couples ... SB283 moved to the Assembly for final legislative action after lawmakers rejected an... (KRNV.com, NV)
Bill looks at expanding insurance at univ. Apr 17, 2009
Last January a UT Austin lecturer staged a hunger strike after the university refused to alter its policy on not extending benefits to same-sex domestic partners of its employees. His actions drew national attention and support from fellow university staff and instructors. (Austin Business Journal, TX)
End-of-life issues focus of new Web site Apr 17, 2009
The act was amended last year during the General Assembly to allow domestic partners, and not just spouses, to make these decisions. Ober Kaler principal Howard L. Sollins, Jack Schwartz, the former director of health policy for the Maryland Attorney General s office, and Assistant Attorney General Paul Ballard coauthored the site. (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
Maryland Tax Break for Gay Partners Gets Approval Apr 14, 2009
- Gay domestic partners who co-own homes will be exempted from the state inheritance tax, under legislation approved by the Maryland General Assembly ... The bill adds same-sex domestic partners to the list of family members who can inherit homes without paying taxes on that property. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Woman's Bid to Assert Same-Sex Parental Rights Fails Apr 10, 2009
The couple had registered in New York City as domestic partners and entered into a civil union in Vermont. The panel, which heard the appeal on March 19, consisted of Justice Luis A. Gonzalez, who has since been named the 1st Department's presiding justice, and Justices Peter Tom, John W. Sweeny Jr. and James M. Catterson. (Law.com)
Domestic Partner Measure Endorsed Apr 9, 2009
A bill aimed at giving same-sex domestic partners the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples won approval Wednesday in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee ... A bill aimed at giving same-sex domestic partners the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples won approval Wednesday in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
D.C. Eyes Gay Marriage Recognition Apr 8, 2009
The D.C. Council will consider Tuesday whether to recognize domestic partnerships granted in other states and countries - a decision that could serve as a prelude to the city's own attempt to legalize same-sex marriage. The council last year gave Mayor Adrian M. Fenty authority to recognize gay relationships as legally legitimate if they are "substantially similar" to domestic partnerships already recognized as legal by the District ... The District's top lawyer reportedly has voiced concern... (Newsmax)
Companies scramble to comply with court's gay marriage ruling Apr 8, 2009
Hunter also noted that some company benefits that cover the male-female domestic partnership also will have similar applicability to such same-sex arrangements ... "Oftentimes, companies have really made these decisions already about including domestic partners, whether male -female not married or same sex," Hunter said. (Waterloo Courier, IO)
For U.S. immigration, 'partnered' doesn't count Apr 4, 2009
The Pacifica women have twin 12-year-old sons and have been registered domestic partners since 1991 ... Under the federal Defense of Marriage Act, domestic partnerships and even legal same-sex marriages, such as those last year in California and which still occur in Massachusetts, aren't recognized as valid in immigration cases ... The Pacifica women have twin 12-year-old sons and have been registered domestic partners since 1991. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Walgreen offers free clinic visits to unemployed Apr 1, 2009
Spouses, domestic partners and children also qualify if they do not have their own health insurance. The plan only applies to someone who has already paid for a visit to one of the Take Care clinics. (MSNBC -- Health)
Nevada's domestic partner laws, gender-expression discrimination debated Mar 28, 2009
(AP) - Emotions ran high on Friday as Nevada lawmakers debated bills dealing with same-sex domestic partners and discrimination based on sexual orientation and "gender identity or expression.". Sen. (KLAS-TV)
Libertarian Party of California Backs Domestic Partnership Initiative Mar 27, 2009
March 26, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Libertarian Party of California formally endorsed the Domestic Partnership Initiative (DPI), a proposed state measure that would replace the word ``marriage'' with ``domestic partnership'' throughout the California constitution and statutes ... Under the proposal, legal rights for all domestic partners, in same or opposite sex partnerships, would be identical and would include the rights currently afforded to married persons ... Ali Shams, a pre-law senior... (Primezone Releases)
Nevada lawmakers start 8th week Mar 23, 2009
On Friday, Senate Commerce and Labor considers SB283, dealing with rights of domestic partners; and SB207, dealing with unlawful discrimination in hotels. Senate-Assembly budget subcommittees will wrap up their weeklong efforts to determine priorities for essential government services with a discussion of Nevada's state college and university system. (KLAS-TV)
More details given on COBRA subsidies Mar 20, 2009
But some questions remain, said Boxer, who hopes to receive a definition of an involuntary termination and a clarification of whether domestic partners qualify for the subsidy if they meet certain criteria. More information. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
SC Johnson ranks among top 10 for disabilities, top 50 for diversity Mar 19, 2009
The company received praise for its benefits including benefits for same-sex domestic partners of employees. The opportunity for employees to provide feedback on managers ability to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment through mandatory annual surveys also drew special mention. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Nevada lawmakers rush to beat bill introduction deadline Mar 18, 2009
Other new Senate measures would revise state laws to ensure that the rights of domestic partners are protected; and provide for penalties for anyone who cultivates marijuana in amounts greater than what's allowed for medical use. Also introduced was , which lets local governments impose, increase, decrease and repeal taxes to ensure that they carry out their responsibilities. (KRNV.com, NV)
Jobless workers' woes finding health coverage Mar 16, 2009
As to whether domestic partners would be covered, employee benefits attorneys agreed it is unlikely because the federal government does not recognize the domestic partnership relationship for the purposes of the U.S. tax code. "The federal government isn't going to provide subsidies for domestic partners, as far as we can tell," said Charles Stevens, a partner with the firm of Michael Best rich in Milwaukee, who held a recent employer Web seminar on COBRA and the stimulus package ... Nothing... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Legislative Roll Call Report (March 13) Mar 14, 2009
E2SSB 5688: Expanding the rights and responsibilities of state registered domestic partners. E2SSB 5688, which passed the Senate by a vote of 30 to 18, declares that state registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses ... This act makes any privilege, immunity, right, benefit, or responsibility granted or imposed by statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law or any other law available and applicable to an individual because the individual is or was in a... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Obama Weighs Rights of Gay Fed Employees Mar 14, 2009
In correspondence to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, Lorraine E. Dettman, assistant director of the personnel office, wrote, Plans in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program may not provide coverage for domestic partners, or legally married partners of the same sex, even though recognized by state law. . (Newsmax)
NYT: Obama on spot as rulings aid gays Mar 13, 2009
In a letter on Feb. 20 to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, an arm of the federal judiciary, Lorraine E. Dettman, assistant director of the personnel office, said, Plans in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program may not provide coverage for domestic partners, or legally married partners of the same sex, even though recognized by state law. . (Huntington WSAZ-TV, WV)
* Microsoft Taiwan launching IE8 to rival Yahoo-Kimo Mar 12, 2009
Microsoft Taiwan Corp unveiled the local version of its Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) platform at a press conference yesterday and introduced the domestic partners it worked with to make the platform more competitive, including FunP.com, UrMap, Im TV, Pixnet (l), Ruten. com (S) and 1111 Job Bank. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Wash. Senate Passes "Everything But Marriage" Bill Mar 12, 2009
-- Same-sex domestic partners would have all of the rights and benefits that Washington offers married couples under a measure passed Tuesday night by the Senate ... The bill expands on previous domestic partnership laws by adding reference to partnerships alongside all remaining areas of state law where currently only married couples are mentioned, statutes ranging from labor and employment to pensions and other public employee benefits ... The underlying domestic partnership law, which Murray... (KIRO TV, WA)
Point Foundation Announces Recipients of Courage, Inspiration and Legend Awards Mar 11, 2009
For more than 13 years, PwC has provided full and equivalent insurance benefits for same-sex domestic partners. The firm ranks among the Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees in DiversityInc's 2008 listing and has scored 100% on the HRC's Corporate Equality Index for the past three years. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Instructional Aide Accused Of Sex With Student Mar 11, 2009
Ali Shams, 32, a senior at the University of California, San Diego, and Kaelan Housewright, 21, a student at the California Institute of the Arts, want all couples to be eligible only for domestic partnerships, the designation now reserved for elderly couples and same-sex couples who can not legally wed ... Their constitutional amendment would repeal the ban, known as Proposition 8, and strike the word "marriage" from licenses, tax forms and other state documents while retaining the rights and... (KSBW 8, CA)
Nevada board to review domestic partner benefits vote Mar 8, 2009
INCLINE VILLAGE (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union is protesting the Incline Village General Improvement District board's vote to rescind health care insurance benefits to domestic partners of employees. Lee Rowland of the ACLU's Nevada chapter says her organization will consider its options if the board fails to rescind its Feb. 25 vote. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
Calif. ruling could divide same-sex couples Mar 7, 2009
Chin, who was not part of the court majority that ruled last year to legalize same-sex marriage, twice asked whether the court should direct the state "to employ non-marriage terminology" and instead make only civil unions or domestic partnerships available to all ... Return to the ballot boxCalifornia already affords same-sex couples who register as domestic partners all the rights and benefits of marriage ... In reality, though, service providers, employers and public agencies still have a... (MSNBC -- Race)
Ruling Could Mean Civil Unions for All in Calif. Mar 7, 2009
Chin, who was not part of the court majority that ruled last year to legalize same-sex marriage, twice asked whether the court should direct the state "to employ non-marriage terminology" and instead make only civil unions or domestic partnerships available to all ... California already affords same-sex couples who register as domestic partners all the rights and benefits of marriage ... In reality, though, service providers, employers and public agencies still have a hard time regarding... (Newsmax)
Integrating work, life helps ensure retention of best faculty Mar 6, 2009
This will apply to both men and women and will include same-sex, registered domestic partners. Faculty who wish to do so may opt out of the automatic extension. (Univeristy of Chicago Chronicle, IL)
Everybody must get stoned Mar 3, 2009
Federal law preempts a lot of things we've done in California, anyway -- domestic partners, gay marriage, the medical use of marijuana. Certainly the Obama administration has been telegraphing they'd like to revisit the failed war on drugs. (Salon)
For the sake of change Feb 27, 2009
The rights of homosexuals and other domestic partners are contained under California Family Code section 297. 5 (a) which states: "Registered domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits, and shall be subject to the same responsibilities, obligations, and duties under law, ... as are granted to and imposed upon spouses.". (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Democrats use omnibus to gut Bush policies Feb 26, 2009
From including language to "consider" government health care benefits for same-sex domestic partners of federal workers to eliminating D.C. school vouchers, which they consider an affront to the public school system, Democrats say there are plenty of wrongs to right in Mr. Bush's wake. The pork-laden bill also slashes funds for abstinence education and erases language prohibiting a "fairness doctrine" law that threatens to squelch conservative talk radio. (Insight on the News)
A theatrical state Feb 26, 2009
Plans to "strengthen the state's financial position and make key investments" fizzled out into social issues-legal protections for domestic partners in committed couples, the implementation of a statewide smoking ban-and tax credits for new businesses. Oh, and improving "access to and quality of higher education," although Doyle admitted in his speech the state's colleges will have bigger class sizes and a few other inconveniences as a result of the deficit. (Chetek Alert, WI)
