Today is the day Washington’s domestic partnership measure kicks in: here, we are everything-but-married. It means a lot, yet it means not much. It means that as long as I don’t cross the state line, K and I will be treated like spouses in purely domestic matters such as testifying against each other in court, visiting each other in prison, and telling doctors what to do when the other one is dying. (Cheerful stuff.) These provisions are particularly important for those of us with children or who are planning to have children.
They mean nothing, zero, on the Federal level. COBRA isn’t guaranteed for domestic partners. Immigration rights are laughed at, social security is ignored, and just fucking forget joint filing with the IRS. Also, delete everything in the first paragraph if we go to Florida and other queer-hating states. If you’re in the military, you are still screwed: yep, you can die for us, but you can’t talk about it and we won’t give your sweetie the medal you won dying for us–or the pension.
Still, it’s worth having; I’m glad I have it with Kelley. And pretty soon folks in DC will have it there, too–just not in Florida and all those other places. Though sadly those in New York just got kicked in the gut.
Marridge is good, but I still want marriage.
Nicola Griffith 
You could always visit us in the NE gay marriage corridor. Pretend ME and RI don't exist.
No surprise in NY, I was not expecting passage, however that does not make it any less disappointing. It seems as though we are going backwards at times, this really needs to happen on the federal level but I get more discouraged by the entire process as each day passes.
Natasha, are you preying on housewives again?
Rory, this needs leadership in government. Until that happens, nothing happens.
OMG! That post was new to me. Sounds like a plan though. Maybe I can some of the girls together and start a charity. A housewife in need… ROFL
It's one of my favourites. I keep meaning to put it on the sidebar but there's always something more urgent to do. Ah, fuck it, there, done.
I'm living in Florida and in the years since we got here the state has just gotten more and more conservative. Bush x2 and Crist. No real chance for change yet. My son is now married to his partner in Iowa but face the same problems. “Can't take that good job in Atlanta. ETC.” I hope it gets better in Florida, but I wouldn't count on it any time soon. Woody.
I actually think many states, including Florida, are just waiting for some leadership on the issue. It will change. I think it will change in about 3 yrs. (Today I'm wearing my fabby rose-tinted glasses.)
I seriously can't understand why so many peple are against gay marriage–why anyone with one whit of compassion, decency, and intelligence would be, as a matter of fact. Of course, the Fundies' ideal marriage is one where a woman barters her hymen and sexual and domestic services for a wedding ring and financial support. Just look at all of these abstinence-only “education” programs if you don't believe me. These people are sick in the head.
Sorry for going all feminist on you, but that's the way I see it.
–Shaun.