Gays and Lesbians Gain New Rights in California

[colinian]

There was an article in the December 29 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle that describes how the state is supporting gays and lesbians with 8 new laws that take effect on January 1, 2007. One of the laws requires couples of any sex who are registered domestic partners to file their state income tax as married filing jointly or married filing separately. The married filing jointly has big tax advantages, the same as for married couples. Married filing separately is actually not a good choice, because according to my dad taxes are higher for people filing this way than if the two filed as married filing jointly or even if each filed as single. But to file as single they'd have to terminate their domestic partnership registration. The other laws that go into effect give most of the rights of married couples to registered domestic partners.

The only things missing now are the right to commit to each other in a marriage ceremony, and sexual orientation protection by businesss and professions. The California Supreme Court has agreed to review whether gay marriage is protected in the California Constitution. A bill has been introduced to update the Business and Professional Code to add sexual orientation protection.

You can read the article here. You don't have to register to read stories on the SF Chronicle web site.

California Family Code 297 defines the domestic partnership law. "Domestic partners are two adults who have chosen to share one another's lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring... Both persons have to be at least 18 years of age."

You can read California Family Code section 297 here.

California is a very welcoming place for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender residents. Cool!

Colin

[Graeme]

Congratulations to all in California!

Incremental steps is a good way to get to full equality under the law. It's also often more palatable to the wider community.

Thanks for the news, Colin