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I echo Tom's gratitude to our mayor and most of our council. Sometimes I feel as though our little blue dot in a bright red state is fading, but then good things happen. This was the right thing to do.<br><br>Keely<br><br><br><br><br>> To: vision2020@moscow.com<br>> From: thansen@moscow.com<br>> Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:03:15 +0000<br>> Subject: [Vision2020] Local Couples React to Domestic Partner Laws<br>> <br>> Again, thank you to Mayor Chaney and those four Moscow city council <br>> members who voted to provide health care to domestic partners of city <br>> employees. It's going to be a long journey. It's nice to know that <br>> Moscow is willing to take that first step.<br>> <br>> >From today's (March 15, 2008) Moscow-Pullman Daily News -<br>> <br>> -----------------------------------------------------------<br>> <br>> Local couples react to domestic partner laws<br>> Expansion of rights 'aren't going unnoticed' <br>> <br>> By Hillary Hamm <br>> <br>> Saturday, March 15, 2008 - Page Updated at 12:00:00 AM<br>> <br>> Charlie Anderson hoped it would happen during his lifetime.<br>> <br>> The 24-year-old gay Washington State University graduate student is <br>> thrilled by a recent Washington state law that expands the legal rights of <br>> domestic partners. The law was signed Wednesday by Gov. Chris Gregoire's <br>> signature and increases the rights and responsibilities of same-sex <br>> couples on issues relating to guardianship, community property, estate <br>> planning, dissolutions and taxes.<br>> <br>> Anderson said any new rights given to same-sex couples is progress.<br>> <br>> "I've been optimistic that I would witness the shift happen ... I'm <br>> completely excited that the opportunity is there if we want it. It's a big <br>> step in the right direction," he said. "It's been interesting watching the <br>> benefits progress and grow and move toward providing domestic partnership <br>> and maybe someday, marriage."<br>> <br>> The expanded rights are an extension of a 2007 law, which created a state <br>> domestic partnership registry to provide couples with increased <br>> protection. The bill added domestic partners to sections of laws only <br>> spouses were recognized previously, such as hospital visitations, medical <br>> decision making, recognition on a partner's death certificate, control <br>> over a partner's remains and belongings, and health insurance benefits for <br>> state employees.<br>> <br>> Approximately 3,254 couples have registered as domestic partners through <br>> the Washington Office of the Secretary of State, Corporations Division. <br>> Under the most recent bill, rights apply to couples currently registered <br>> as domestic partners - or those who register in the future - and are <br>> effective 90 days from Thursday, which was the last day of the Legislative <br>> session. <br>> <br>> Pullman resident Lisa Laughter is pleased by the new law, which will <br>> recognize her partner and newborn child as a family unit as much as she <br>> does.<br>> <br>> Laughter and Amanda Thompson registered as domestic partners last fall, <br>> shortly after their two-year anniversary. Laughter said she is especially <br>> glad for the new language specific to guardianship, which will ensure <br>> Thompson, 28, has rights as a parent when it comes to the couple's week-<br>> old daughter, Elliott Morgan Thompson.<br>> <br>> "That's something that we've been very concerned about - having a new <br>> child. Just being able to have those rights is important," said the 30-<br>> year-old Laughter, who is the child's birth mother. <br>> <br>> Heidi Stanton, director of the WSU Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual <br>> Orientation Resource Center and her partner of three years had a <br>> commitment ceremony last fall. They've also registered as domestic <br>> partners and purchased a home in Garfield. <br>> <br>> Stanton said the timing of the expanded legal rights is good, especially <br>> since the couple hope to have a baby within a year. She hopes the <br>> Legislature maintains its momentum and creates more and more rights for <br>> same-sex couples with children. <br>> <br>> "I think it would be better if we didn't have to have the (domestic <br>> partner) cards - if we all just had the rights," she said. "But anything <br>> that recognizes us as equal parents is good. Protecting relationships with <br>> children is crucial."<br>> <br>> Thompson said she's glad to see the list of legal rights is growing, <br>> though community property, power of attorney and public assistance issues <br>> don't currently apply to the couple. <br>> <br>> "A lot of these things may not apply right now, but it's good to know <br>> they're there. It makes me feel more secure," she said. "We're definitely <br>> moving toward same-sex marriages in this state. It's a huge step."<br>> <br>> Anderson is pleased same sex couples can now file joint taxes - a <br>> right "that's been a major benefit for heterosexual couples for years," he <br>> said.<br>> <br>> "That's a step in the right direction," he added. "I just want to thank <br>> the governor. These changes aren't going unnoticed in the (gay and <br>> lesbian) community."<br>> <br>> -----------------------------------------------------------<br>> <br>> Reminder: Friendship Square, 12:00 noon, next Saturday (March 22nd). BE <br>> THERE!<br>> <br>> Seeya round town, Moscow.<br>> <br>> Tom Hansen<br>> Moscow, Idaho<br>> <br>> "People who ridicule others while hiding behind anonymous monikers in chat-<br>> room forums are neither brave nor clever." <br>> <br>> - Latah County Sheriff Wayne Rausch (August 21,<br>> 2007)<br>> <br>> ---------------------------------------------<br>> This message was sent by First Step Internet.<br>> http://www.fsr.com/<br>> <br>> <br>> =======================================================<br>> List services made available by First Step Internet, <br>> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994. <br>> http://www.fsr.net <br>> mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com<br>> =======================================================<br><br /><hr />Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your HotmailŪ-get your "fix". <a href='http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx' target='_new'>Check it out.</a></body>
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