In The Faith - A Chronicle of the Christian Faith

California has joined Vermont as the only states that offer same-sex couples many marriage rights and privileges previously reserved for heterosexual married couples.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BP)—California became the second state to award homosexual couples most of the rights of married couples when Governor Gray Davis signed a domestic partner bill into law Sept. 21.

The bill, which won’t take effect until January 2005, doesn’t use the words “marriage” or “civil union” but nonetheless grants homosexual couples who are registered with the state dozens of rights and responsibilities previously given only to married couples.

Vermont also awards most of the rights of married couples through what it terms “civil unions.”

The California law covers a wide range of areas, including health coverage and parental status. For example, homosexual couples will now be able to take extended unpaid leave to care for an ill partner.

Davis, already facing an Oct. 7 recall that is in doubt because of a court ruling, signed the bill before a large crowd at San Francisco’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender center.

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Filed under: Homosexuality