For those who say that GLBT equality needs to be a gradual process, they can hold up the state of Washington as a positive example. After passing a domestic partnership law last year granting same-sex couple some basic rights like hospital visitation and property inheritance, they have added to that by passing more sweeping legislation. It's not marriage-yet, but it is significant progress toward equality for those couples in the interim.
From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Gay and lesbian couples were brought one step closer to same-sex marriage Tuesday when the Legislature voted to extend 170 new rights to them, adding to groundwork begun last year with the passage of domestic partnership rights.
The Senate passed House Bill 3104, proposed by Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, by 29-20 along a mostly party-line vote.
The bill grants same-sex couples additional rights -- including the ability to share bank accounts, the right to hold common property and immunity from testifying against one's partner in court. Divorce rights -- including child-custody provisions -- were also granted.
The measure now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it into law.
Also, from the other side:
Republicans decried the bill for whittling away at the institution of marriage, saying the deterioration of marriage between a man and a woman would lead to a rise in crime, juvenile delinquency and parents working long hours.
Yeah, and I'm sure it will lead to more yellow waxy buildup on their kitchen floors and higher gas prices. Give me a break!
"This bill practically increases the number of rights to domestic partners ... that's exactly what I'm afraid of. Once we go that far, marriage will become meaningless," said Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester.
Well who's stopping them from getting married in the first place pal? Who is forcing them to have a seperate set of laws to immulate marriage? If you and your ilk want to strengthen the institution of marriage, make sure every couple has equal rights to it.
Some problems just aren't that difficult to solve.
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Why do you suppose some people want to protect marriage from me and my partner because marriage is sacred, but then marriage itself becomes meaningless if my partner and I were allowed to marry? If it is sacred, doesn't that indicate that its meaning is rooted in God -- not in human laws and customs? If I can make it unsacred, does that mean I can make baptism unsacred by being baptized, or that I can render the Eucharistic presence Unreal by being a gay communicant? (What if I am a gay communicant in a state of grace?)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, as you so eloquently put it, give me a break!