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CALIFORNIA
Judge Rules for Same-Sex
Adoptive Parents
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Michael and Rich Butler, a couple in San Jose,
Calif., successfully resolved their landmark
discrimination suit May 21 against the operators of
the for-profit Web sites Adoption.com and
ParentProfiles.com.
“This case was about ensuring that these
businesses stop discriminating against same-sex
couples in California by excluding them from
offering loving, stable homes to children,” said
Michael Butler, a plaintiff in the case.
In 2004, the Butlers filed a lawsuit after the
defendants refused to post their profile online
solely because they are a same-sex couple. The
defendants’ Web sites charge fees for posting pro
files of potential adoptive parents. Using the sites,
birth parents can search those profiles to choose
potential adoptive parents for their children.
San Francisco federal district court judge Phyllis
J. Hamilton issued a decision March 30 holding
that California law applies to the defendants and
permitting the Butlers to take their case to trial.
According to the settlement, the sites have agreed
to either comply with state nondiscrimination law
or cease providing their services to Californians.
City in Kansas Might Register
Domestic Partners
Lawrence might soon become the first city in
Kansas to register same-sex partners for domestic
partnership benefits. State law prohibits gay cou
ples from marrying.
The registry, which could be operational by
Aug. 1, would allow unmarried couples to file
paperwork at the City Clerk’s Office that will
recognize their domestic partnership.
The registry will require both partners to be 18
or older and “live together in a relationship of
indefinite duration with a mutual commitment in
which the partners share the necessities of life and
are financially interdependent.” An undetermined
registration fee will cover the administrative costs
of the program.
The domestic partnership registry, proposed by
Kansas Equality Coalition members, would serve as
proof of relationship status required by some compa-
nies offering domestic partnership health benefits.
The opposing vote was cast by City
Commissioner Mike Amyx, who said he preferred
to defer judgment to the state.
Opponents, including some members of the state
Legislature, said the registry would create a loophole
around the same-sex marriage ban. A legal opinion
from the attorney general said the city’s registry
would not violate the constitutional amendment.
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Defeats
Gay Civil Rights Bill
The Nebraska Legislature continued its 14-year
tradition of voting down gay civil rights legislation
May 23 when the Senate voted 24-15 to kill a bill
that would add sexual orientation to the state’s
existing nondiscrimination statute. The bill had
been introduced by state Sen. Ernie Chambers,
D-Omaha.
. Opposing state Sens. Tony Fulton, R-Lincoln,
and Tom Carlson, R-Holdrege, claimed the bills
would give gays “special rights” and wouldn’t be an
issue if their sexuality was kept “in the closet.”
Lawmakers attempted to pass a similar bill in
the previous session, but it was defeated in commit
tee. Another civil rights bill that would ban
discrimination against sexual minorities in hiring
situations was defeated in 2005. Fourteen years ago,
state Sen. Tim Hall of Omaha introduced the first
proposal to provide job protections to gays and
lesbians.
NEW YORK
AIDS Walk Breaks Records
The 22nd annual AIDS Walk New York was
the largest and most successful fund-raiser of its
kind May 20, setting records for both participation
and fund raising. Organizers announced that
45,000 walkers helped raise a grand total of
$6,857,527.
“None of us walks alone, and the success of
AIDS Walk is a testament to our ability to work,
walk and succeed together,” said Marjorie J. Hill,
chief executive officer of Gay Men’s Health Crisis.
“AIDS Walk is proof that New Yorkers care very
deeply about AIDS here in New York City, the
epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S.”
AIDS Walk opening ceremonies featured the
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About 45,000 AIDS Walk New York participants set records for fund raising and participation.