Domestic Partnerships

As we have experienced in 2007 and 2008, the introduction of domestic partnership bills brings out a flurry of concerns about whether gays and lesbian couples in Washington should have the same rights as heterosexual couples in our state, including the right to marry.

The House and Senate heard the domestic partnership bills on Thursday, February 5.

A few important points to note about Washington’s domestic partnership legislation:

1. It does not affect federal rights, benefits and obligations. Regardless of what we pass in the Legislature, Washington’s state-registered domestic partners do not have the same rights under federal law that married couples have. Washington cannot force Congress to act in this area.

2. Washingtonians from every county have registered their domestic partnerships with the Secretary of State’s office.

3. 57 House members and 20 Senators signed onto this year’s domestic partnership bills.

Press release:  Bill to close remaining equality gaps in state law for domestic partners (January 28, 2009)