Wash. gay foes upset over ballot wording
(Olympia, Washington) Opponents of Washington state’s newly enacted domestic partner law that gives same-sex couples all of the state rights of marriage without the name are demanding changes to the wording of a ballot measure to overturn it.
The language that would appear on the ballot was set by the Washington …
For gay couples, married matters
Five years after the first same-sex weddings in Massachusetts, gay and lesbian couples express deeply traditional reasons for deciding to wed and cite equally conventional benefits flowing from marriage, according to a study being released this week.
A significant majority of the 558 gay men and women surveyed said that since marrying, they feel more committed to their spouses, more accepted in their community, and more likely to be open about their sexual orientation at work.
The survey indicates that there is something universal about the legal protections and social advantages afforded by the institution of marriage, said the study’s authors from the University of California, Los Angeles as well as independent researchers. And it suggests, they said, that a ritual once scorned even by many same-sex couples has the power to ease discrimination.
“This really helps us confirm and makes us understand why same-sex couples demand marriage – if it’s just about the legal rights, why wouldn’t they be happy with civil partnerships?” said Stephanie Coontz author of “Marriage, A History.”
“They want access to that word that is so highly valued by our society and by other people.
“It is one thing not to invite your child’s girlfriend or boyfriend to dinner,” said Coontz, a professor at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. “It is quite another thing not to invite the spouse.”
Same-sex marriages began in Massachusetts on May 17, 2004, after the Supreme Judicial Court declared that gay and lesbian couples had the right to wed. The ruling ignited a political and social maelstrom in Massachusetts and beyond, but since then four other states – Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, and Vermont – have extended marriage rights to same-sex couples. Lawmakers in New Hampshire are currently debating whether to make their state the next to do so.
The study was prepared and paid for by UCLA’s Williams Institute, which examines legal and public policy issues related to sexual orientation and is funded by foundations and individuals, including supporters of gay marriage.
The authors of the survey, which consisted of about 30 questions, said they regarded it as an initial assessment of gay marriage, largely designed to explore issues arising during public debate rather than to delve into more personal aspects of couples’ relationships. For example, researchers asked whether respondents’ children had faced taunting as a result of their parents’ same-sex marriage – only 5 percent had – but did not ask how happily married partners were.
“We’ve been interested in the impact of marriage for a long time,” said Lee Badgett, researcher director of the Williams Institute and senior author of the study. “I’ve been combing the universe for data, but there just aren’t that many places to look at same-sex couples who are literally married.”
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Wa. domestic partner expansion faces challenge
(Olympia, Washington) Opponents of Washington state’s newly enacted domestic partner law that gives same-sex couples all of the state rights of marriage without the name have started their bid to overturn the measure.
The Washington Values Alliance filed paperwork Monday to begin the referendum process. They need to get more than …
Washington Values Alliance seeks to overturn “Everything-But-Marriage” legislation
Item: Washington Values Alliance seeks to overturn “Everything-But-Marriage” legislation/Rich Roesler, Eye On Olympia
More Info: As expected, Washington Values Alliance president Larry Stickney this afternoon filed a ballot measure to overturn Senate Bill 5688, which grants state-registered domestic partners most of the rights of married spouses. More than 5,000 couples have registered in the past two years, including many same-sex couples. See WVA Fights Domestic-Partners Law The Spokesman Review
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Group wants Wa. partner law repeal put on ballot
(Olympia, Washington) A socially conservative group said Friday it is preparing a referendum to repeal Washington state’s newly enacted domestic partner law, which is similar to civil union laws.
The Washington Values Alliance said it hopes to collect enough signatures to have the question put to voters in November. President Larry …
Washington legislature expands gay partnerships
(Olympia, Washington) Same-sex domestic partners would have all the rights and benefits that Washington state offers married couples under a bill passed Wednesday by the state Legislature.
The Democratic-controlled House approved the Senate-passed measure on a mostly party-line 62-35 vote after nearly two hours of debate. It next goes to Gov. …
Wa. Senate OKs expanded partner bill
(Olympia, Washington) Same-sex domestic partners would have all of the rights and benefits that Washington offers married couples under a measure passed by the state Senate.
Supporters of the bill said it offers same-sex couples fairness that has been denied them under the state’s 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which restricts …
Gay, straight adult entertainment, toys face “Skin Tax”
(Olympia, Washington) It’s enough to make you blush: Some politicians want a bigger taste of the economy’s naughty side, pushing for special taxes on dirty magazines, racy movies, sex toys and strip clubs.
In Washington state, a half-dozen cash-strapped legislators recently endorsed a huge sales tax increase on explicit movies, magazines …
Wash. mulls major expansion of gay partner law
(Olympia, Washington) Legislation that would expand Washington’s 2007 Domestic Partner law to provide all of the state rights and benefits of marriage and a bill to legalize same-sex marriage have been filed in the Legislature.
Both bills are sponsored by Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, both Democrats and openly …
