domestic partnership
February 25, 2008
Laurel Hester Documentary Wins Academy Award
A documentary film on the struggle by New Jersey police officer Laurel Hester's struggle to have her domestic partner recognized as her next of kin has won an Academy Award.February 1, 2008
Oregon Domestic Partnership Law Upheld
A federal judge removed the restraints on Oregon's state domestic partnership law, suspended since January 1, 2008.December 31, 2007
NH Civil Unions at Midnight; OR Domestic Partnership on Hold
As same-sex couples in New Hampshire prepare for that state's civil union law to go into effect at midnight tonight, Oregon couples are not so lucky, as a federal district judge halts that state's domestic partnership law, pending a February hearing.July 23, 2007
WA State Domestic Partnership in Effect
Washington state's domestic partner law went into effect Monday, allowing same and opposite-sex couples to register their relationships and receive some of the state-sanctioned benefits of marriage.April 21, 2007
WA State Adds Domestic Partnership Law
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law Saturday a measure to create domestic partnerships, giving gay and lesbian couples some of the same rights that come with marriage.April 17, 2007
Oregon Equality Act and DP Act Advance
The Oregon House of Representatives approved in bipartisan votes the Oregon Equality Act (SB 2) and the Oregon Family Fairness Act (HB 2007).February 16, 2007
NJ AG Issues Opinion on Marriage Recognition
Attorney General Rabner concluded that same-sex marriages entered into legally in another state or nation are valid in New Jersey, and should be recognized as civil unions.February 9, 2007
Civil Unions and Legal Confusion
Civil unions, domestic partnerships, and civil marriage carry different legal consequences when New Jersey's civil union law goes into effect on Feb. 19. Some will automatically trigger all the benefits the new law provides; others will not. It remains an open question whether New Jersey will recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.November 15, 2006
NJ Women Named as Birth Parents
By GEOFF MULVIHILL, A.P. MOUNT LAUREL—In some of the first legal fallout from a state Supreme Court ruling that gives same-sex couples in New Jersey access to the same rights as married couples, two women will be listed on the...July 3, 2006
PA Marriage Amendment Fails
The Pennsylvania Legislature recessed for the summer without passing an amendment that would have prohibited same-sex marriage and, perhaps, civil unions and domestic partnerships.June 22, 2006
PA Senate Approves Marriage Ban
By a 38-12 vote, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would ban recognition of same-sex marriage.June 14, 2006
PA Proposed Marriage Ban Amended
A proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee with an amendment that removed a ban on civil unions and domestic partnerships in the state.April 5, 2006
BMW: Mixed Messages on DP Benefits Question
I once again spoke with BMW of North America, which is headquartered here in New Jersey. Their public relations person once again reiterated that they do not currently provide such benefits to its employees.April 3, 2006
BMW Discrimination Confirmed
I was recently made aware of the fact that BMW North America, headquartered here in New Jersey, does not currently provide domestic partner benefits to its employees. Following a call to their headquarters, I have confirmed that the company does not provide domestic partner benefits.March 21, 2006
Plainfield Adopts DP Benefits
On Monday night, the Plaintield City Council voted unanimously to adopt two resolutions extending health benefits and pension benefits to domestic partners of city employees.March 10, 2006
Plainfield to Vote on DP Benefits
Bridgewater Courier News City officials have announced that in the coming week, they plan to float a measure that would extend benefits to same- sex domestic partners of public employees.March 2, 2006
IRS Warns Same-Sex Couples Not to File Joint Returns
The IRS is warning same-sex couples that they cannot file joint federal tax returns, and attempts to do so can result in penalties and fines.February 6, 2006
NY Couples Get Funeral Rights
New York State Gov. George Pataki has signed into law legislation that provides domestic partners, both same-sex and opposite-sex, the ability to make decisions about the funerals of partners.
February 2, 2006
Essex County to Add DP Benefits
In a surprise policy directive during his annual State of the County address last night, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. proposed extending pension and health benefits to the domestic partners of county employees.
January 25, 2006
Atlantic County Freeholders Delay DP Vote
Just one day before Ocean County voted to extend domestic partner benefits to its employees, Atlantic County's Board of Chosen Freeholders delayed a final vote on its resolution adopting benefits.
January 25, 2006
Ocean County Freeholders Approve DP Benefits
In a 4 to 0 vote, Ocean County freeholders adopted a resolution adopting domestic partner benefits.
January 24, 2006
PA House Introduces Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment
Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Boyd (R-Lancaster) and 88 co-sponsors reintroduced a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution limiting marriage to one man-one woman.
January 24, 2006
Jackson Township Passes DP Benefits
The township committee unamimously passed a resolution adopting domestic partner benefits for its employees.
January 21, 2006
Ocean County Relents on Benefits for Hester
Reversing themselves after months of battering at public meetings and in the press, Ocean County's freeholders are scheduled to vote Wednesday to extend pension benefits to the domestic partner of Lt. Laurel Hester and other members of the Police and Fire Retirement System.
January 20, 2006
Camden County Adopts DP Benefits
Camden County Board of Freeholders last night granted domestic partnership benefits to registered domestic partners who are county employees.January 12, 2006
NJ Legislature Recognizes Additional DP Rights
The New Jersey Legislature has clarified that registered domestic partners have rights of inheritance and guardianship equal to that of married spouses.
December 27, 2005
Monmouth County Votes to Add DP Pension Benefits
Unlike the freeholders in neighboring Ocean County, the Republican freeholders of Monmouth County showed that thecompassionate conservativelabel is not an empty slogan when they voted on December 22, 2005 to extend pension benefits to the registered domestic partners of county employees.
December 16, 2005
A Legal Guide for Same-Sex Couples
When the Domestic Partnership Act took effect last year, attorney Stephen J. Hyland decided to put together a short guide to help couples figure out what domestic partnership meant legally.December 4, 2005
NJ Senate Bill Expanding DP Inheritance Rights Move Forward
The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved legislation that would clarify whether domestic partners have the same rights in inheritance and funeral arrangements as married couples.
December 2, 2005
Union County Approves DP Benefits
The Union County Board of Freeholders became the fifth county to provide domestic partnership benefits when it unanimously passed a resolution on December 1, 2005.
November 24, 2005
Ocean Co. Facing Further Criticism on DP Benefits
Gay and civil rights activists were joined by Sen. John Adler and Rep. Frank Pallone in a protest in Toms River following the county's refusal to allow Lt. Laurel Hester to name her partner as her pension beneficiary.
November 23, 2005
Mercer Co. Approves DP Benefits
Mercer County voted to extend health and pension benefits to domestic partners.
November 14, 2005
New Version of Domestic Partnership Guide
A new version of my book, New Jersey Domestic Partners: A Legal Guide" has been released and is available in most book stores. Check back on Friday, November 14, for more information....September 20, 2005
CT AG: State May Recognize NJ Domestic Partners
Connecticut's Attorney General issued a legal opinion indicating today that the state will recognize New Jersey's domestic partnerships, to the extent that they do not conflict with that state's laws. The state will not, however, recognize same-sex marriages entered elsewhere.
September 16, 2005
NJ Woman Sues State Over Denial of Inheritance Rights
Attorneys from Hill Wallack and Malapero & Prisco, LLP, filed a lawsuit today against the Middlesex County Surrogate and the State of New Jersey on behalf of Betty Jordan, of Perth Amboy, seeking recognition of her right to inherit from her deceased spouse.
August 28, 2005
Next NJ Governor Will Influence NJ Supreme Court
New Jersey's next governor will have a major influence on the direction of the New Jersey Supreme Court, which will directly affect the rights of the state's GLBT community, among others.
July 26, 2005
CA Groups Petition to Ban Marriage, Domestic Partnership
California's attorney general on Monday released a summary of a proposed constitutional amendment that highlights how the measure would strip same-sex couples of most domestic partner rights while also banning gay marriage.
July 20, 2005
PA Republicans Sue to Stop DP Benefits
Two top Republican lawmakers are suing the panel that sets benefits for state workers in a bid to stop its members from meeting privately tomorrow to consider extending same sex benefits to the 84,000 commonwealth employees.
July 13, 2005
DP Benefits Bill Introduced in Congress
Legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives on Wednesday that would allow non-married employees of the federal government to apply for benefits for their long-term partners.July 11, 2005
NJ Marks 1st Year of Domestic Partnership
Over 400 people showed up in Maplewood on Sunday, July 10, to celebrate the first year of the New Jersey Domestic Partnership and to call for full marriage rights.
June 29, 2005
NY DPs Get Burial Rights
The New York State Legislature passed a bill that provides domestic partners, both same-sex and opposite-sex, the ability to make decisions about the funerals of partners.
June 29, 2005
CA Supreme Court Upholds DP Law
The California Supreme Court on Wednesday let stand a new law granting registered domestic partners many of the same rights and protections available to married couples.
June 26, 2005
Penn State Adds DP Benefits
Penn State University is now formally offering health benefits to workers with same-sex partners, adding one of Pennsylvania's largest employers to the dozens of colleges and universities around the country offering such benefits.
June 1, 2005
West Windsor-Plainsboro Teachers Denied DP Benefits
The local chapter of the NJEA teacher's union sold out its GLBT members in the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district by dropping its demand that domestic partner benefits be provided.
June 1, 2005
Are You a Registered Opposite-Sex Couple?
A reporter from the Associated Press is seeking to interview opposite-sex couples who have registered as domestic partners in New Jersey.
May 31, 2005
CA Supreme Court Hears DP Discrimination Case
A lesbian couple who have been together 11 years left the California Supreme Court on Thursday confident that they may soon share full membership rights at their San Diego country club — rights currently granted only to married couples.
May 26, 2005
NJ Lesbian Couple Wins Birth Certificate Battle
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) announced today that it successfully obtained a court order yesterday granting a lesbian couple the right to have both of their names listed on their child's birth certificate, pursuant to New Jersey's artificial insemination statute.
May 14, 2005
NJ Allows DP to Sue for Loss of Consortium
Same sex couples in New Jersey will now be able to sue for a loss of consortium under a precedent-setting decision handed down by a judge in Newark.
April 11, 2005
State Laws Create Legal Problems for Same-Sex Couples
NEW YORK — When John Langan's longtime partner died in a New York hospital as a result of what Langan believes was medical malpractice, he did what many bereaved spouses might do: He sued for wrongful death.
April 7, 2005
NYC Extends Recognition to Same-Sex Relationships
NEW YORK — New York City will recognize same-sex marriages and civil unions - but only if they were performed outside the state in areas where they are already legal.
April 6, 2005
NY State Bar Ass'n Approves Rights for GLBT Couples
ALBANY, NY -- On April 2, 2005 at the New York State Bar Assn's recent annual meeting, the NYSBA's House of Delegates approved a Resolution of the Special Committee to Study Issues Affecting Same-Sex Couples.
April 6, 2005
Date of Registration Required to Obtain DP Certificate
According to the registrar for Princeton Borough, an individual cannot obtain a copy of his or her certification of domestic partnership unless they provide complete information about the registration.March 29, 2005
New Challenge to CA DP Law
SACRAMENTO -- The California law that provides same-sex couples with many of the same rights as heterosexual married couples is being challenged before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
March 25, 2005
MD Senate Approves Limited DP Protection
ANNAPOLIS -- Maryland Senators gave their approval Friday to a bill that would establish a limited domestic partner registry and give its members the authority to make medical decisions for each other.
March 16, 2005
NJ Tax Court Grants Veterans' Tax Break to DP
A gay, disabled veteran who owns a home with his registered domestic partner should receive the same tax break that a married veteran would receive, a judge has ruled.March 8, 2005
NJ Legislation Advances DP Rights
The surviving partners of LGBT veterans would get a full property tax exemption under legislation being considered by the New Jersey legislature.February 23, 2005
DP Bill, Marriage Ban Move Forward in NM
SANTA FE, NM — A Senate committee has approved two bills on same-sex relationships: One that would ban gay marriage and another that would allow domestic partnerships....February 10, 2005
Hudson County to Vote on DP Benefits
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Hudson County is poised to extend health and pension benefits to county employees' same-sex partners....January 27, 2005
Wal-Mart Extends Benefits to NJ Domestic Partners
WASHINGTON, DC — Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, has adopted a new definition of family that includes same-sex partners recognized under state law....January 23, 2005
New Bills Introduced to Extend NJ DP Rights
TRENTON — Three new bills have been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature to modify and extend the rights of New Jersey domestic partners....January 6, 2005
NY Town Drops DP Benefits
EASTCHESTER, NY — Four years ago, Eastchester became one of the first communities in Westchester County to offer health benefits to the domestic partners of its employees. Critics charged that the town supervisor had rammed the plan through and...December 21, 2004
CA DP Law Challenged
SAN FRANCISCO — A day before a San Francisco Superior court is to hear a legal challenge to the state's ban on same-sex marriage, a State Appeals Court Tuesday ruled that a lawsuit against California's landmark domestic partnership law...December 21, 2004
2,640 NJ Couples Register as DPs
In the five months since New Jersey's domestic partner law went into effect nearly 2,700 couples have registered. But, many others are waiting to see how a suit to gain full marriage rights plays out in the courts.December 7, 2004
PA Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Philly DP Benefits
The state Supreme Court ruled that Phila. did not overstep its power by giving 'life partners' rights. The city acted within its powers six years ago when it extended benefits to the same-sex life partners of its employees, the...November 18, 2004
NYC Mayor Calls for Pension Plan Recognition of Same-Sex Partners
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Wednesday called for the city's pension funds to treat municipal workers in same-sex marriages in the same way as those in traditional marriages....October 1, 2004
NY Adds Limited DP Protection
New York Gov. George Pataki Friday signed into law legislation that will further protect the rights of gay and lesbian hospital and nursing home patients by ensuring that their domestic partners are granted visitation rights....September 23, 2004
Montclair Gay Couple Sues for Property Tax Exemption
MONTCLAIR — A Montclair gay couple is challenging the limits of the state's Domestic Partnership Act by appealing their property taxes to the New Jersey State Tax Court this week....September 23, 2004
CA Court Upholds Limiting DPA to Same-Sex Couples
A California appeals court has found that it was rational for the state legislature to limit the benefits of domestic partnership to same-sex couples who cannot marry and elderly straight couples who would suffer reduced Social Security benefits if they married.
September 9, 2004
CA Court Upholds Domestic Partnership Act
A California law granting same-sex couples nearly identical legal rights and responsibilities as married spouses Wednesday was ruled valid....August 24, 2004
NJ Supreme Court Announces DP Termination Rules
Supreme Court of New JerseyTerminations of Domestic Partnerships - Procedures...August 12, 2004
NY Provides Limited DP Protection
The New York State Senate Thursday approved guaranteeing same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partners the same rights as spouses and next-of-kin when taking care of loved ones in hospitals, nursing homes and health-care facilities....August 3, 2004
Hamilton, NJ to Vote on DP Benefits
The Hamilton township council is expected to vote tonight on whether to include same-sex domestic partners and opposite sex partners over the age of 62 in its health benefits and pension programs.
July 10, 2004
NJ DP Registrations Begin in South Orange, Maplewood
After 10 years with her partner, Cathy Schenone is glad finally to be covered by Michele Tollefson's health insurance plan at work.July 10, 2004
NJ Couples Celebrate New Rights
Seven years after they met in an Internet chat room for gay fathers, Martin Finkle and Mike Plake walked into South Orange Village Hall early today and became New Jersey's first same-sex couple officially recognized as domestic partners....July 10, 2004
NJ Couples Line Up for DP Registration
Same-sex couples across the state are excited about registering their relationships with municipal officials on the first day allowed under New Jersey's new domestic partnership law....July 9, 2004
Gaps Mar NJ Domestic Partnership Law
No help for gay couples who split Registering for a domestic partnership in New Jersey will soon be easy. But breaking up will be hard to do....June 30, 2004
Princeton Borough OK's DP Benefits
With a pair of unanimous votes by the borough council June 23, the borough joined a short list of New Jersey government bodies that have agreed to offer health-care and pension benefits to employees' same-sex domestic partners....June 24, 2004
More US Companies Offering DP Benefits
A third of the business in the country say they are prepared to provide health benefits to the same-sex partners of gay and lesbian employees. But, when it comes to pension plans they are less willing to recognize same-sex...June 23, 2004
Princeton Borough To Hold Vote on DP Benefits
Local officials could decide tonight if the borough will join a very short list of New Jersey government bodies that offer health-care and pension benefits to employees' same-sex domestic partners....June 19, 2004
Maplewood, NJ to Begin DP Registration July 10
Maplewood's Democratic mayor and township committee, in a strong show of support for the new Domestic Partnership Act, this week agreed to open Town Hall the day the law becomes effective. A party is also planned....January 13, 2004
NJ Marriage Suit to Continue
A day after Gov. James E. McGreevey signed legislation recognizing domestic partnerships gay activists say it isn't enough. Lawyers for 7 same-sex couples who are suing the state for the right to marry say their case will continue in...January 8, 2004
NJ Senate Passes Domestic Partnership Act
The New Jersey Senate voted 23-9 Thursday to approve a bill extending many of the state benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples....
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