Maine domestic partner registry starts today

[MaineDem]

AUGUSTA — Starting today, gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples will be able to register with the state as domestic partners, a major step toward equal rights, say those who worked to create the registry. Others, however, see it as a step toward same-sex marriage, something they strongly oppose.

The Christian Civic League of Maine issued a statement Thursday opposing the registry. Described as a legal and theological argument against same-sex marriage, it was signed by 49 Maine ministers.

The registry law, passed by the Legislature this year, gives qualified domestic partners the same inheritance rights that a spouse has when a married partner dies without leaving a will. Supporters see it as an important symbolic step for gay and lesbian couples whose relationships have not historically been recognized by state institutions.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/040730domestic.shtml

[David__77]

1. A 5-10% step forward.

The good thing about these registries is that they can organically go over to equal civil unions without anyone really noticing, with the incremental addition of more rights and responsibilities. It keeps the right off guard and mean-spirited looking if they fight against it. In California (my partner and I are legally domestic partners here), the registry was established in 2000, and more rights were added in 2002. Then, last year, Davis signed a bill to equalize it with marriage except in taxation. Unfortunately, private employers still need not recognize them for benfits purposes, but my public employer will when it goes into effect on 01/01/05.