carson city:

Bill to extend rights to same-sex couples advances

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 | 6:18 p.m.

Bill would give gays same rights as married couples (3-16-09)

A bill to give same-sex couples the rights of married couples passed a key hurdle Wednesday, clearing a Senate committee by a 4-2 vote.

Senate Bill 283 would allow gay couples the right to enter into domestic partnerships, which would grant the same benefits to partners as married couples.

It now will have to clear the Senate floor, where Democrats hold a slim 12 to 9 majority over Republicans.

Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, sponsored the bill. He added an amendment Wednesday that exempts state and local government from being required to pay for domestic partner benefits.

Parks, Sen. Maggie Carlton, Sen. Mike Schneider, and Sen. Allison Copening, all Las Vegas Democrats, voted in support of the bill. Sen. Warren Hardy, R-Las Vegas and Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, voted against the bill. Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, was not present.

Gay marriage has been outlawed in Nevada since voters passed a constitutional amendment in consecutive elections, the second time in 2002.

Discussion: 13 comments so far…

By boarderthom

4/8/09 at 6:42 p.m.

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Economic issues matter and marriage is an economic issue. Studies show that married people are slightly healthier (less costs) and wealthier (pay more taxes) than their single counterparts and this is true for gay people as well. Therefore, it is in the state's best economic interest to grant marriage equality.
By genetik71

4/8/09 at 6:57 p.m.

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I am deeply disappointed that Senators Rhoads and Hardy could vote against a bill that would grant people such basic familial rights as hospital visitation or basic rights of survivor-ship (the 'privilege' of not being thrown out of one's home when their partner dies). Their votes are truly shameful, un-American, and without any sense of compassion or decency.
By getalife

4/8/09 at 7:25 p.m.

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Hardy is Mormon, need I say more?
By ksand99

4/8/09 at 9:03 p.m.

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How disgusting. Just when I think my opinion of the state republican party couldn't be worse, they vote against something as fundamental as equal rights.

I hope their gay family members and friends hold them accountable for their votes.

Basic human decency? The republican party says, "No thanks!"
By jfnance32

4/8/09 at 9:13 p.m.

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Copening's church is probably pissed.

Her church is very anti-gay marriage and strong supportors of pro-life activities.
By neiman1

4/8/09 at 9:48 p.m.

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Where is harry Reid. He has opinion and tries to run every other thing in Nevada, but on this, he is absent.
By TransAm1986

4/8/09 at 11:34 p.m.

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This is just wrong. This is not a civil rights issue. This is what occurs when the Dummyrats are running the state. Gay today, gone tomorrow.
By Harley

4/9/09 at 1:11 a.m.

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Michael Fitzpatrick do you take Patrick Fitzmichael to be your lawfully wedded husband?

I do.

And Patrick Fitzmichael do you take Michael Fitzpatrick to be your lawfully wedded husband?

I do.

By the powers invested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and husband?

You may now kiss your partner?

Now, will that be Michael & Patrick Fitzpatrick or Patrick & Michael Fitzmichael on the license?

Please remit your $55 fee to the State that offers no benefits in return.

Next.
By getalife

4/9/09 at 7:29 a.m.

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The Republicans really managed to screw this up. What's next a letter in the RJ supporting Gibbons for re-election.
By KillerB

4/9/09 at 9:47 a.m.

Comment removed by staff.
By KillerB

4/9/09 at 4:23 p.m.

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Aw c'mon, Sun! The word I TRIED to use is very appropriate for this topic! Proof: at dictionary.com you'll find definition #3 "a victim of prejudice similar to that suffered by blacks; a person who is economically, politically, or socially disenfranchised."

But ... your forum, your rules, your privilege.

Anyway, AGAIN, you're right on with this one, Harley.
By NVCitizen

4/10/09 at 7:40 a.m.

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To TransAm1986: YES, it is a Civil Rights Issue. Please review the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. How can you possibly say that some Americans are not allowed equal protection under the law, just because they are gay? Would you also deny others the right to marry, like blacks and whites? Christians and Jews? Should marriage only be the province of white, middle-class, heterosexual Christians? And who would you use as a "Poster Child" for heterosexual marriage? Britney Spears? Elizabeth Taylor? Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra? Can you provide a NON-RELIGIOUS reason that gays should not be allowed to marry?
By Harley

4/16/09 at 4:21 a.m.

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The State of Nevada should only recognize individuals regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, wealth or partnership affiliations, while abolishing all laws and benefits that segregate, discriminate and/or are based upon such e.g. minority hiring quotas, marriage licensing, hate crimes, etc.

We means' we're all the same.

"We cannot solve today's problems with the same level of thinking that created them." --A. Einstein.