by Lindsay Ginn
A&E Editor

As of Friday, Feb 15, Equal Rights Washington has brought domestic partnerships in our state officially one step closer to achieving full marriage and benefit rights for gay and lesbian couples.

The House of Representatives passed the 2008 Domestic Partnership Bill by a landslide with 32 of 62 in favor. The most major obstacles that equal rights advocates have encountered in the fight to achieve equality lie in the benefits that

gay and lesbian couples can – or cannot – receive based on their inability to get legally married. The bill, if passed through the senate, would grant exactly 160 additional benefits for domestic partners at the state level, as the federal level still does not acknowledge domestic partnerships.

Washington state has somewhat acknowledged domestic partnerships since Apr. 10, 2007. That’s the date that Governor Christine Gregoire signed the bill that created the State Registered Domestic Partners (SRDP) registry. The bill allowed 11 of the rights that married couples have to be equally available to registered domestic partners.

Connie Watts, Executive Director of Equal Rights Washington, is optimistic and hopeful about the new bill’s entrance into the Senate. “…We are confident

that with continued hard work we can pass the bill.” Gov. Gregoire has been a longtime supporter of gay rights in the state of Washington and keeps hopes high for another pass.

Some of the rights that domestic partners will now share with married couples include:
· Domestic partners are now included in domestic violence protection statutes Community property statutes apply to domestic partners.
· State colleges and universities may grant tuition waivers for veteran’s domestic partners.
· Procedures apply to domestic partners of incapacitated persons
· Child support, maintenance, and parenting plan obligations apply to domestic partners.

While this is considered to be another great stride in the battle for equal rights, there are still several religious organizations that are battling the legislation on the basis that it may eventually lead to gay marriage.

Equal Rights Washington still wants voters and advocates to remember that the fight for rights is not over. “It is important to remember that even when this bill becomes law, gay and lesbian couples will only be afforded fewer than 200 of the 1,400 legal protections enjoyed by legally married couples in Washington state,” says Watts. She encourages continued contributions to gay rights supportive organizations in order to keep this state moving forward. For more information on Equal Rights Washington, visit http://equalrightswashington. com.