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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2005)
I ___ WWInews _________ January 7.2005 • JlWt Mt] j y oOQ Inc., a Montana-based queer advocacy organization whose members include employees and domestic partners of employees of the university system. The law suit charged that it was unconstitutional to deny same-sex couples access to health insurance, disability coverage and other benefits available to married employ ees and even to committed opposite-sex couples who signed an affidavit of com mon law marriage. “This is truly a landmark decision,” said Holly Jo Franz, one of the attorneys From left, Montana plaintiffs Carol Snetsinger, Nancy Siegel, who argued the case. “The Adrianne Neff and Carla Grayson court has made it clear that same-sex couples must be respected.” A total of 160 positive queer bills were intro duced in state legislatures in 2004. R eport E xamines 2004 Of these, several important bills became Q ueer S tate L egislation law, granting hospital visitation rights in New The Human Rights Campaign Foundation York and creating domestic partnership reg released a new report Dec. 21 examining the full istries with a handful of rights in New Jersey breadth of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender and Maine. state legislation in 2004. The 13 states that “Even in the midst of anti-marriage attacks, passed anti-marriage constitutional amend several state legislatures moved forward with ments last year have been well-publicized, but providing basic rights for same-sex couples and this new report— Equality from State to State— their children,” said Kilboum. points out the 15 amendments that were defeat Aside from relationship-related legislation, a ed in state legislatures in 2004- key victory in 2004 was the addition of gender Moreover, this report discusses the almost identity and expression to Connecticut’s hate 200 bills that did not deal with marriage hut crime law. The bill was passed 33-0 in the Sen nonetheless affect queers and their families. ate and 143-72 in the House before being signed “A complete picture of the past year includes by the state’s Republican governor. 15 anti-gay amendments defeated in the states,” “The outlook for state legislation in 2005 said Seth Kilboum, HRC national field director. looks mixed,” said Kilboum. “We will continue “Where the legislative process provided a forum to fight attacks on our families, but 2005 will see for deliberative and thoughtful conversation, a some victories for GLBT people.” majority of these anti-marriage amendments Anti-marriage constitutional amendments were defeated.” already have been pre-filed in South Carolina, Republican state Sen. David Adkins played a Texas and Virginia. However, the California key role in defeating Kansas’ anti-marriage Legislature will consider a bill to extend mar amendment. He said at the time: “Why are we riage equality to same-sex couples, and several putting a sign outside the clubhouse door that other state legislatures are expected to work on says, ‘No homosexuals allowed?’ I just think securing rights and responsibilities for same-sex Kansas is better than that.” Other legislators who couples and their children. spoke out against adding discrimination to their Additionally, a number of states will consid state constitutions are highlighted in rhe report. er nondiscrimination and hate crime bills that The report also examines whether party include protections for queers. JM makeup and regional location of state legisla tures correlated with the number and types of Compiled by News Editor S arah DOUGHER, queer-related legislation considered. who can be reached at sarah@justout.com. WE LOVE OUR VET! 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