Wash. Domestic Partnership Law Stalled

A law that would expand the rights of domestic partnerships in Washington state was supposed to take effect this past Sunday but did not because opponents of the law submitted a petition with over 135,000 signatures, hoping to force a public referendum vote on the law in November.

The law would grant domestic partnerships all rights that married couples enjoy, including adoption, child support, and pension rights.  The state already grants inheritance, community property, probate, and trust rights to registered domestic partnerships.

See Rachel La Corte, Wash. gay partnership foes turn in signatures, Fort Worth Star Telegram, July 25, 2009.