Washington Governor Chris Gregoire Signs Expanded Domestic Partnership Bill
Washington governor Chris Gregoire signed the recently expanded domestic partnership bill into law yesterday, saying: "This bill is about protecting and helping Washington families. It simply gives these families the same rights as everybody else. It's the right thing to do." While the bill grants rights which stop short of marriage, Washington domestic partners will now enjoy 170 additional rights thanks to the legislation.
Washington Representative Jamie Pedersen, who sponsored the bill, recognizes that there are still crucial rights missing. A large amount of protections, including those typically granted by the Federal government, but also several extended by the state to married couples, do not exist in Washington's domestic partnership law. But Pedersen is optimistic, saying that the new bill is the "next step in addressing that injustice."
The movement toward marriage equality is, indeed, merely a series of steps. It is comforting to know that Washington is continuing to take them.
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