Lez Keep It Real

Are you ready for the Good News Moment of the week? Looks as though there’s a lot to be happy about! Tomorrow is National Coming Out Day! Dear Abby supports gays and lesbians! And the Best Lesbian Love Stories 2007 anthology is in stores!

But wait! There’s more good news on the horizon …

This week’s Good News Moment:
Ore. gay rights law to move forward

That’s right. If you haven’t heard already, domestic partnerships will be permitted next year in the wilderness state of Oregon. Hooray! Hoorah! In the words of Diddy, “there’s another one. And we don’t stop. And another one. And we won’t stop …”

Forgive me for throwing some hip hop in the mix, but that’s how I get down. I was beaming when I read the following article in the Washington Blade:

Opponents of Oregon’s new same-sex domestic partnership law failed to turn in enough valid signatures to block the measure, clearing the way for it to take effect next year, state elections officials said Monday.

Oregon will join eight other states that have approved spousal rights in some form for gay couples - Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, California, Washington and Hawaii. Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay couples to marry.

The Oregon measure covers benefits related to inheritance rights, child-rearing and custody, joint state tax filings, joint health, auto and homeowners insurance policies, visitation rights at hospitals and others. It does not affect federal benefits for married couples, including Social Security and joint filing of federal tax returns.

Former state Sen. Marylin Shannon, a spokeswoman for the opponents’ petition drive, and other social conservatives believe the domestic partners bill violates the intent of voters who in 2004 adopted a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

“This just flies right in the face of that ban,” the former Republican lawmaker said.

Gay rights backers said most Oregonians make a distinction between gay marriage and domestic partnerships, and they support providing protection under state law for same-sex couples who are in committed relationships that currently are not recognized by the state. READ MORE

I know what some of you are thinking … it still isn’t full marriage, so it’s not good enough. OK. Maybe it’s not good enough, the point is that it’s good. It’s a step in the right direction. Why? Because it covers benefits related to inheritance rights, child-rearing and custody, joint state tax filings, joint health, auto and homeowners insurance policies, visitation rights at hospitals and other legal matters.

These are the most basic rights that we are currently not entitled to in most other states. The fact that another state has stepped forward means that others will follow. I’m a firm believer in that. Then again, I’m a firm believer in good news. And I can only hope that New York will someday follow suit. For now, I’ll simply bask in the glory of the Oregon sun.

As an aside, I’ve noticed that I’ve got some lurkers on this site. Don’t be a lurker - share your thoughts! Free yourself! Delurk!

If you have a Good News Moment to share, by all means send it my way. Use the contact form or send me an e-mail at ldarcangelo@451press.net.

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