California Success Splits Gay Activists (BARF ALERT!)

The Data Lounge ^ | 9/16/02 | N/A

[I_Love_My_Husband]

California Success Splits Gay Activists Monday, 16 September 2002

SACRAMENTO -- California's Gov. Gray Davis last week signed into law a measure extending inheritance rights to registered same-sex partners, capping what many consider to be a banner year for gay civil rights in the country's most populous and powerful state.

Of eight gay civil rights proposals put before the Democratically- controlled Assembly this year, six were passed and Gov. Davis has so far signed three into law. All of the new measures grant new rights to registered same-sex partners who suffer the loss of a partner. He is still considering bills that would boost gay participation in the state's foster care system, and allow gays and non-gays to take paid family leave.

But as the Los Angeles Times reports, many gay civil rights advocates in California see the piecemeal approach to marriage equality as deeply flawed and think the time has come to throw the full political weight of the community behind the passage of Vermont-style civil unions.

Ilona Turner of the California Alliance for Pride and Equality said that of some 1,000 legal rights and responsibilities under marriage, California's gay domestic partners so far have been granted but a handful. At the current rate, it will be another hundred years before the community's goals on marriage are met.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I wouldn't say these are great strides." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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"A lot of people are getting tired of doing things incrementally," she said. "I wouldn't say these are great strides."

But many others, including lesbian and gay lawmakers, warn against reaching for too much too fast. Aggressively pursuing civil-union legislation just two years after 2 in 3 Californians voted to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples, could disastrously backfire.

"It is just the time we live in that an additional benefit here and there are considered historic," California's first openly gay legislator, state Sen. Sheila Kuehl told the L.A.Times. "The sheer struggle of it makes every gain a cause for celebration. "

Assemblywoman Carole Migden echoed her sentiments. "You always have a naysayer sitting on a perch with a mimosa telling you it is not enough. We're out here getting these things done, and these people are on the sidelines at brunch saying, 'It is not enough...' "

"Of course it is not enough," Migden said. "But it is what we are able to do now."

-- Editor

[I_Love_My_Husband]

This one slipped by me. I had no idea this happened.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

ping

[RAT Patrol]

I guess they've never heard of a will. I really don't care who leaves what to whom after they die. But this has been legal forever in the form of a will.

The foster care issue is a tragedy for children.