Davis Signs Bill Extending Rights To Gay Partners

[David__77]

SAN FRANCISCO – Gov. Gray Davis signed one of the most comprehensive gay rights bills in the nation yesterday, one that extends many rights of married couples to same-sex partners.

The governor, standing in the Rainbow Room of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center here, said the law will reinforce long-term relationships, helping citizens become happier and more productive.

"I want every Californian to find solace and love and comfort in a relationship with another human being of their choosing," said Davis, who was surrounded by about 300 cheering and applauding gay and lesbian supporters. "I want to make sure they have the rights and responsibilities to make that work."

...

A recent Field Poll showed widespread support in California for granting broader rights to domestic partners, with narrow opposition to legalizing same-sex marriages. Sixty-one percent of voters favored allowing same-sex couples to have pension, health and family leave benefits, while 72 percent favored allowing domestic partners to have hospital visitation and medical power-of-attorney rights. The poll found voters disapprove of same-sex marriages, 50 percent to 42 percent. Among the major candidates in the recall election, only state Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, opposed the law Davis signed yesterday.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/sat/news/news_1n20gays.html

[David__77]

1. As a domestic partner...

I'm very happy about this law. I hope that now that domestic partnership will cover more areas of law, more and more lesbian and gay couples will take advantage of it. So many thousands of these couples have lived together for years--sometimes decades--and I think most have not legally protected themselves in the event one dies and so forth. It's up to us in the lesbian and gay community to spread the word and educate people on this. I'm hoping more states will follow our lead.

One note: Davis is one of the most pro-gay governors in the country. He took this initiative not because a court ordered him to do it, but because it's the right thing to do. He deserves the support of the lesbian and gay community and of all progressive-minded Californians.

[goobergunch]

2. Great news!

A :toast: to Gray Davis.

[Vikingking66]

3. 2 down, 48 to go n/t

[David__77]

4. "Pro-family" organizations oppose Schwarzenegger, support McClintock.

Here's what a leading "pro-family" activist has to say:

"Only Tom McClintock has pledged to honor marriage by protecting the rights of marriage for only a man and a woman, as the people have voted for," said Thomasson. "With their domestic partners agenda, which is gay 'marriage' by another name, Davis, Bustamante and Schwarzenegger are triple trouble for voters who want to protect marriage for a man and a woman."

http://www.savecalifornia.com/press/newsreleases/release.cfm?nrid=PR030919A

[LeftCoast]

5. Thank you Darrell Issa!

Without you, our boringly moderate Governor (Gray Davis) would never have become the liberal, gay-rights signing governer he is today! A toast to Darrell! :toast:

LOL

edit: not to say Davis doesn't deserve some credit here...just wish he'd been as unafraid to be a Democrat before all this recall nonsense. Good job Gray! A toast for you too! :toast: