domestic partnership

The AP reports that voters in three states will decide this fall on whether to reverse gay rights initiatives ranging from anti-discrimination measures to marriage benefits.

In Maine, voters will decide whether or not to uphold the state's legalization of same-sex marriage. In Washington state, a so-called "everything but marriage" law that expands the state's current domestic partnership law will be on the ballot. And in Kalamazoo, Mich., voters will decide on an ordinance that prohibits discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations estimate that the number of children nationwide living with at least one gay parent ranges from 6 million to 14 million.

The Spokesman-Review profiles one lesbian couple - moms Kyla Bates [right] and Lori Rodriguez [left] and their 7-year-old daughter, Myah - to help educate the public about the struggles and frustration our families often face.

After brief debate, the New Mexico state Senate rejected a bill that would have created domestic partnerships in the state, with opponents contending it was "marriage in disguise." Supporters of the bill did a last-minute rewrite to remove references that could be construed as marriage-related, but that wasn't enough to win the necessary votes.

Ten Democrats joined the chamber's 15 Republicans to defeat the bill 25-17.

Equality Florida reports that Sen. Eleanor Sobel (Hallandale Beach) has introduced a statewide Domestic Partnership bill (SB 1642).

The introduction of the bill comes at a time when public support is at an all time high for this legislation. The latest polls show 77% of Floridians in favor of extending benefits to unmarried couples.

The Denver Post reports that a bill narrowly passed its first test that would make domestic partners of Colorado state employees eligible for coverage under state group-benefit plans.

The bill, Senate Bill 88 from Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, passed out of a Senate legislative committee by a 4-3 party-line vote after spirited debate.

"It is the right policy," Veiga told committee members. "It is the right time."

In most areas of the U.S., it takes the law some time to catch-up to today’s definition of family. As gay and lesbian parents - forming our families - we are cultural pioneers. Most governments have not (or will not) offer security via marriage equality, so it's our responsibility to protect our families.

Lambda Legal - a national GLBT civil rights organization - is celebrating a victory in California. In a major show of support for same-sex couples, the California Supreme Court denied a petition by county assessors seeking review of a California Court of Appeal decision affirming the validity of basic property tax protections for domestic partners. The Court's decision means that the validity of these protections is now secure. No further appeals are possible.