Two Yakima lawmakers stand up for just rights for same-sex couples

This editorial was published March 16, 2009.

For the third time in three years, lawmakers in Olympia are ready to pass legislation that would extend benefits to same-sex couples.

In 2007, the Legislature created the domestic partnership registry and granted certain marital benefits like hospital visitation and power of attorney to same-sex couples. So far, some 5,111 same-sex couples are in the registry.

In 2008, another round of changes were made covering such matters as estate planning, dissolutions and guardianship.

Now has come a third step in the expansion of benefits. Under a bill that was passed by the Senate last week and a similar measure headed for a vote in the House, domestic partners would have the remaining benefits granted to marital couples. In other words, the changeover would be 100 percent complete -- wherever a statute has the word married couple written in it, domestic partners would also be filled in.

While this three-step process seems like a logical progression to supporters, it's the overall effect of these measures that has drawn the attention and ire of those who oppose expanded benefits to same-sex couples. They see it as a thinly veiled means of overturning the Defense of Marriage Act that voters approved more than a decade ago.

Prior to last week's vote, intense lobbying steered away from Democrats who had long supported same-sex rights and instead focused on several Republicans, including Sen. Curtis King. The lawmaker from Yakima suddenly found himself in the crosshairs of those opposed to added benefits for same-sex couples. That's because a year ago, during his first session in the Legislature, King voted for the second round of expanded rights to domestic partners.

Despite the intense lobbying efforts and criticism from within his own party, King did not budge. Late Tuesday night, he and two other Republicans sided with Senate Democrats in passing the bill.

King said he had no regrets about his decision.

"I did not lose any sleep over the vote," King said.

It's important to note the effect of what King voted for and what it does not change. The measure does not affect more than 1,130 federal rights and protections granted to marital couples, nor does it affect state adoption laws or what students are taught in public schools.

The measure now moves to the House where Rep. Norm Johnson, a first-term lawmaker from Yakima and longtime Republican who previously served as Yakima city councilman and Toppenish mayor, said he will side with Democrats and vote for the measure.

We commend King for the difficult vote he took last week and Johnson for the one he will soon cast. Providing rights and responsibilities for gay couples only makes sense in a society that has long since acknowledged the existence of those couples.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Barbara Serrano, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.