Same Sex Domestic Partnership Bill Passes Washington State Senate

The Seattle Times reports that same sex couples who are married elsewhere will be afforded the same legal rights and protections in Washington state as domestic partners under a bill headed to the governor's desk after clearing its last legislative obstacle late Wednesday, the measure passing the Senate on a 28-19 vote. Same sex marriage remains illegal in Washington State, but under the bill, same sex marriages and domestic partnerships performed and recognized elsewhere would be eligible for the rights granted to domestic partnerships in Washington. In the past half-decade, lawmakers here have approved hundreds of rights and responsibilities for domestic partnerships, coming close to creating a type of equality save for marriage itself. Currently, five states, the District of Columbia and Canada allow same sex marriages. Washington becomes the fourth state to approve this type of bill, following Rhode Island, New York and Maryland. "I'm ecstatic," said Rep. Laurie Jinkins (Democrat-Tacoma) the bill's prime sponsor. "It extends what the voters of this state have already said they want to do for people." The measure enjoyed wide support among Democrats. It cleared the House on a 58-39 vote, with most members voting along party lines, and in the Senate, four Republicans voted for the measure. Senator Don Benton (Republican-Vancouver) was the sole senator to speak on the floor against the bill, arguing there was no need for it because same sex couples already qualify for domestic partnerships. However Senator Craig Pridemore (Democrat-Vancouver) said that since the federal government does not recognize same sex marriages, states are required step in and clarify their laws. Supporters say the bill approved Wednesday is another victory for Washington's domestic partnership law, created in 2007 after years of lobbying by gay activists. "What we have witnessed is progress," said Josh Friedes, advocacy director for Equal Rights Washington, who added that because the federal government still refuses to recognize same sex couples, the public "should not think that gay and lesbian families are adequately protected in Washington,” and that "They remain very vulnerable. Most states don't provide reciprocity. When Washington couples travel outside, they remain especially vulnerable."