Nevada Legislature Overrides Veto for Domestic Partnerships

Basic fairness and the fear of losing the gay travel dollar were enough to convince the Nevada Legislature over the weekend to over ride Governor Jim Gibbons' veto of a bill giving legal rights to domestic partners. I'm sure many Christianists will be gnashing their teeth as yet another state moves into the 21st century and recognizes that equality under the law extends to same sex couples, not just straight couples. The new law will take effect on October 1, 2009. Meanwhile, here in Virginia, LGBT citizens are still treated as less than 3rd class citizens. Kudos for Nevada which will hopefully benefit from this step in the right direction. Here are some highlights from the Las Vegas Sun:

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In what supporters are calling a historic moment, the Assembly on Sunday night overrode the veto of Gov. Jim Gibbons on a bill giving legal rights to domestic partners. Tod Story, a member of the board of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, said "Nevadans can stand proud." Story said Nevada has become the 17th state to recognize the relationships of gay and lesbian couples under state law.

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Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, who gave the only speech on the floor, called this a “historic vote for equality and justice.” “This is the most important civil rights legislation we’ve had in all my years here and I am so happy and honored to be a part of it.” She said she knew it was “a struggle” for many legislators.

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She said domestic partners “are not asking us to approve of their lives or how they live but they are asking us for respect. As citizens of this great state, they are asking that their government give them the ability to choose who they will live with and who they will love.”

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The partners, whether of the same or opposite sex, would register with the Secretary of State’s Office for legal recognition. And if they split, they would file dissolution of the registration. The bill says domestic partners have the same rights, protections and benefits that are ranged or imposed upon spouses.

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Voting against the bill on Sunday were Republicans John Carpenter of Elko, Chad Christensen of Las Vegas, Tyrus Cobb of Reno, Heidi Gansert of Reno, Pete Goicoechea of Eureka, Tom Grady of Yerington, Don Gustavson of Sparks, John Hambrick of Las Vegas, Joe Hardy of Boulder City, Richard McArthur of Las Vegas, James Settelmeyer of Gardnerville, Lynn Stewart and Melissa Woodbury, both of Henderson.