Domestic-partner bill goes to Gregoire

OLYMPIA — A domestic-partnership bill for gay and lesbian couples that cleared the state Legislature on Tuesday was hailed by supporters and criticized by opponents as a first step toward same-sex marriage.

The House passed the measure by a 63-35 vote after a rather tame hourlong debate. Two Democrats opposed the bill and three Republicans supported it. The Senate passed the legislation last month, and passage by the House was expected.

It now goes to the governor, who is expected to sign it.

"From the Palouse to Alki Point, this bill provides real relief," Rep. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle, told lawmakers during the debate. "If you've ever fallen in love, I call on you to support this legislation whether you welcome it or it makes you uncomfortable."

Most Republicans were clearly uncomfortable.

"There's no question about it, this is a bad, bad bill," Rep. John Ahern, R-Spokane said. "This is really a sad day."

Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, said the legislation "includes some rights that many [Republicans] believe ought to be reserved and have historically been reserved for the marital relationship."

The legislation would give gay and lesbian couples the right to visit a partner in the hospital, inherit a partner's property without a will and make funeral arrangements, among other things.

Those rights also would be extended to unmarried heterosexual couples in which at least one partner is 62 or older.

Supporters say older heterosexuals were included because they face the possibility of losing pension rights and Social Security benefits if they remarry.

Conservative groups opposed to gay marriage and the domestic-partnership bill said they were disappointed by the House vote but that they're unlikely to challenge it at the ballot.

Instead, they plan to work in the next election to defeat key lawmakers who supported the measure.

"I think we want to go the route of voting these people out," said the Rev. Joe Fuiten, pastor of Cedar Park Assembly of God and a prominent opponent of same-sex marriage.

A referendum last year to overturn a gay-rights law passed by the Legislature failed to attract enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

The legislation that passed Tuesday requires a central state registry of domestic partnerships that would be kept at the Secretary of State's Office. Couples would have to file an affidavit of domestic partnership with the office and pay a filing fee.

Advocates see the bill as a step toward gay marriage. "It's a step and a significant step. But it's still a long hike up the mountainside to marriage," said Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle.

A coalition of gay lawmakers in the House and Senate, including Murray and McDermott, introduced legislation this session that would allow gay marriage, but it died in committee.

The lawmakers said they weren't sure what tack they'd take next session on marriage, but they plan to introduce legislation to expand on the domestic-partnership bill.

Seattle Times reporter Ralph Thomas contributed to this story.

Andrew Garber: 360-943-9882 or agarber@seattletimes.com