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Domestic Partner Registration
July 24th, 2007 11:56 amI hate to distract from the potterdamerung, but I thought it might be cool to point out that the first day of Washington State Domestic Partner Registration was yesterday, and it went really well! I drove by around 8:15, and people were already in a packed line downt he stairs and out to the loading dock. Saw a few veils (one lady had a sign that said "I'll wear the rest of the dress when I get the rest of my rights" - good on her). There was a 'just registered' convertable and a general atmosphere of festivity. The protest booked in the park was cancelled weeks ago, because the group planning it is attacking with a different strategy, but they haven't made their move yet.
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madalchemist for details, as he was workin' in the actual building. I just got tidbits from Dad, who set up the registration system and trained* people and ran it**, and who hopefully will get more sleep at night now everything's actually going. Dad's favorite moment of the day was when two 86 year old guys tottered in to register. They'd been together since 1957. It's a good thing this is only domestic partner registration, not marriage, 'cause obviously they don't take their relationship seriously.
So, Dad expects a challenge to the legislation, and then a lawsuit, in a matter of weeks. The lawsuit he's expecting will come, supposedly***, from a heterosexual couple under 62 (not allowed to register under the law), as an equal-protection case. It's quite possible that this suit would win...but. Because it's challenged on those grounds, it could actually end up being a political step forward for civil unions for anyone who wants them, which I'm all for. Of course, it'd take time, and that'd be MORE time when gays couldn't be assured of seeing their partners in the hospital.
Thank you for your time. You may now return to your regularly scheduled Potterdamerung.
*training mostly consisted of what not to say to newly registered couples. For example, asking the pair of guys whether your shoes really go with your blouse? Well meant, but probably not so good.
**Because domestic partnership registration is being run by the secretary of state's office, corporations division. Don't ask.
***A religious-right backed couple. This is the tack they decided to take when they canceled the park protest, because they're not strategic idiots. Registration gives very few rights, really, and trying to keep partners away from hospital beds on 'moral' grounds makes them look like monsters...which they are, but y'know.
Ask
madalchemist for details, as he was workin' in the actual building. I just got tidbits from Dad, who set up the registration system and trained* people and ran it**, and who hopefully will get more sleep at night now everything's actually going. Dad's favorite moment of the day was when two 86 year old guys tottered in to register. They'd been together since 1957. It's a good thing this is only domestic partner registration, not marriage, 'cause obviously they don't take their relationship seriously. So, Dad expects a challenge to the legislation, and then a lawsuit, in a matter of weeks. The lawsuit he's expecting will come, supposedly***, from a heterosexual couple under 62 (not allowed to register under the law), as an equal-protection case. It's quite possible that this suit would win...but. Because it's challenged on those grounds, it could actually end up being a political step forward for civil unions for anyone who wants them, which I'm all for. Of course, it'd take time, and that'd be MORE time when gays couldn't be assured of seeing their partners in the hospital.
Thank you for your time. You may now return to your regularly scheduled Potterdamerung.
*training mostly consisted of what not to say to newly registered couples. For example, asking the pair of guys whether your shoes really go with your blouse? Well meant, but probably not so good.
**Because domestic partnership registration is being run by the secretary of state's office, corporations division. Don't ask.
***A religious-right backed couple. This is the tack they decided to take when they canceled the park protest, because they're not strategic idiots. Registration gives very few rights, really, and trying to keep partners away from hospital beds on 'moral' grounds makes them look like monsters...which they are, but y'know.
