new mexico house passes domestic partner bill

a domestic partnership bill passed thursday by the new mexico house allows gay and heterosexual couples to form domestic partnerships and enjoy the same rights and benefits as married couples. to qualify couples have to register.

“it will be a good thing for domestic partners to be given the right to use what we pay taxes for,” said deacon ellen pleasant, who is serving as acting pastor and worship team coordinator of the llano estacado metropolitan community church. registered partners "would also be afforded rights to make property and inheritance decisions on behalf of a dead or dying partner. The law would also grant couples the same responsibilities in child support, visitation, and custody in divorce."

pleasant, who has lived with her partner for 29 years, said the bill will give domestic partners rights such as to make medical decisions and to share in medical benefits.

the law would also recognize partnerships from 10 other states and d.c. the bill will go to the senate, where a similar measure failed in 2007.

it looks like francois sagat and i will be moving to new mexico.

source: gay blog, gaynews