Domestic partnership

A domestic partnership is an interpersonal relationship between two individuals who live together and share a common domestic life but are not married (to each other or to anyone else). The term is not used consistently, which results in some inter-jurisdictional confusion. Some jurisdictions, such as Australia, New Zealand, and the American states of Oregon, Washington (only available if one of the parties is 62 or older), Nevada, Wisconsin, Maine, and California, use the term "Domestic Partnership" to mean what other jurisdictions call Civil Union, Civil Partnership, or Registered Partnership. Other jurisdictions use the term as it was originally coined, to mean an interpersonal status created by local municipal and county governments, which provides an extremely limited range of rights and responsibilities.

Some legislatures have voluntarily established domestic partnership relations by statute instead of being ordered to do so by a court. Although some jurisdictions have instituted domestic partnerships as a way to recognize same-sex unions, statutes do exist which provide for recognition of opposite-sex domestic partnerships in many jurisdictions.

In some legal jurisdictions, domestic partners who live together for an extended period of time but are not legally entitled to common-law marriage may be entitled to legal protection in the form of a domestic partnership. Some domestic partners may enter into nonmarital relationship contracts in order to agree, either verbally or in writing, to issues involving property ownership, support obligations, and similar issues common to marriage. (See effects of marriage and palimony.) Beyond agreements, registration of relationships in domestic partnership registries allow for the jurisdiction to formally acknowledge domestic partnerships as valid relationships with limited rights.

In the United States

Legal status of same-sex unions
Marriage
Performed

Argentina
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Denmark:
· Denmark proper
· Greenland*
Finland*
France
Iceland
Ireland
Luxembourg
Mexico:
· CH, CA, GR3, JA*
· NA, QR, DF
Netherlands:
· Netherlands proper

New Zealand:
· New Zealand proper
Norway
Portugal
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom:
· England and Wales
· Scotland
· Pitcairn Islands
United States:
· United States proper
· GU, MP, PR, VI
· some tribal jurisdictions
Uruguay

Recognized

  1. When performed in Mexican states that have legalized same-sex marriage
  2. When performed in the Netherlands proper
  3. Marriages performed in some municipalities and recognized by the state

* Not yet in effect

LGBT portal
State laws regarding same-sex unions similar to marriage in the United States1
  Domestic partnerships or civil unions granting state privileges of marriage2
  Same-sex unions granting limited/enumerated privileges
  No same-sex unions similar to marriage
---- 1Not recognized by the federal government. However, same-sex marriage is legal nationwide (excluding some territories and Native American tribal jurisdictions) and is recognized by the federal government. Same-sex unions similar to marriage are provided at the local level in many jurisdictions.
2Domestic partnerships in Washington are only available when at least one of the partners is 62 years of age or older.
Laws regarding same-sex partnerships similar to marriage by state, county, and local level in the United States1
  Same-sex unions similar to marriage2
  Domestic partnership granting limited/enumerated privileges
  State grants benefits to state employees
  Same-sex unions not provided
---- 1Not recognized by the federal government. However, same-sex marriage is legal in most states and is recognized by the federal government.
2Domestic partnerships in Washington are only available when at least one of the partners is 62 years of age or older.

Origin of term in California municipalities

In August 1979, gay rights activist Tom Brougham proposed a new category of relationship called "domestic partnership".[1] Initially, the requirements were that only two people who resided together and were qualified to marry except that they were the same gender. Additional requirements were later added for the partners to maintain mutual financial responsibility and for both to be at least eighteen years old and able to enter into a legal contract.[2]

San Francisco

In 1982, Brougham's definition was modified by Supervisor Harry Britt, a gay man appointed to replace Harvey Milk. Britt's version was adopted and passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, but Dianne Feinstein, mayor of San Francisco at the time, came under intense pressure from the Catholic Church and vetoed the bill.[3] In 1989, a domestic partnership law was adopted in San Francisco.[4] However, voters repealed the domestic partnership law by initiative; a modified version was reinstated by another voter initiative, 1990's Proposition K, also written by Britt.[5][6] Currently, the city still offers a domestic partnership status separate and differing in benefits from that offered by the state; city residents can apply for both.[7]

According to the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, "In 1982, the term 'domestic partner' was first used in a lawsuit filed by San Francisco Human Rights Commission employee Larry Brinkin. Mr. Brinkin, then an employee of Southern Pacific Railway, had recently suffered the loss of his partner of eleven years. When he was denied the three days of paid bereavement leave given to married employees, he filed suit with the assistance of the ACLU. Mr. Brinkin lost his case. Despite a great deal of evidence to the contrary, the judge agreed with his employer's claim that there was no way to know if his relationship was legitimate."[8]

Berkeley

In 1983, the City Council of Berkeley, California, under the leadership of Mayor Gus Newport, ordered their Human Relations and Welfare Commission to develop a domestic partnership proposal. The Commission appointed its Vice-Chair, Leland Traiman, a gay activist, to head the Domestic Partner Task Force and draft a policy. Working with Tom Brougham, members of the East Bay Lesbian/Gay Democratic Club, and attorney Matt Coles, the Domestic Partner Task Force drafted what has become the template for domestic partner/civil union policies around the world. The City of Berkeley's Human Relations and Welfare Commission held a public hearing early in 1984 on "Examining the Use of Marriage to Determine Benefits and Liabilities in Berkeley and the Alternatives." A policy was adopted by the Commission and presented to the City Council. A copy was sent to the Berkeley School Board. In July 1984 the City Council voted down the proposal citing financial concerns. On August 1, 1984, the Berkeley School Board enacted the policy by a 4 to 1 vote. The school board motion was made by board member and community activist Ethel Manheimer.[9]

In November 1984, all the city council members up for election who had voted against the policy lost reelection. Progressives from the Berkeley Citizens' Action (BCA) slate who replaced them had voiced strong support for a domestic partner policy. The East Bay Lesbian/Gay Democratic Club had worked hard to elect the BCA Slate. This was the first time domestic partners was a campaign issue. At the first meeting of the new City Council in December 1984, the Berkeley City Council enacted a policy extending employee benefits to unmarried couples of any gender. The first couple to file for benefits under Berkeley's sex-neutral policy were Brougham and his partner Barry Warren.

However, the City Council did not create a registry for domestic partners until 1991. On October 11 of that year, 28 lesbian and gay male couples and one heterosexual couple registered their partnerships. The registry and benefits were also extended to non-resident couples that same year.

West Hollywood

In 1985, West Hollywood city council member John Heilman successfully introduced domestic partner legislation for city residents and employees that was passed by the city council and created the first domestic partnership registry.[1]

Statewide

California

California created the first state-level domestic partnership in the United States in 1999. It is available to same-sex couples of any age (provided both parties are age 18 or older) and to opposite-sex couples where at least one party is age 62 or older.

On September 4, 2003 the California legislature passed an expanded domestic partnership bill, extending all of the state legal rights and responsibilities of marriage to people in state domestic partnerships. California's comprehensive domestic partner legislation was the first same-sex couples policy in the United States created by a legislature without a court order. The legislation became effective January 1, 2005.

Pre-existing municipal and county domestic partnership ordinances remain in force unless repealed by their local governments. Thus, residents of San Francisco, West Hollywood, and a few other locations may choose between a local domestic partnership, a California domestic partnership, or marriage. Nothing in either the 1999 or 2003 domestic partnership legislation applies to any of the municipal or county domestic partnership ordinances, whose scopes are extremely limited and are not portable outside of the jurisdiction that issued them.

The State of California has developed an Online Self-Help Center that provides resources and information to assist domestic partners in many areas, including filing domestic partnerships, dissolving domestic partnerships,parenting issues, tax issues, and more.

Colorado

Since July 1, 2009 unmarried couples have been legally able to enter a designated beneficiary agreement which will grant them limited rights.[10] A law on civil unions went into effect on May 1, 2013.

District of Columbia

Washington, D.C., has recognized domestic partnerships since 1992. However, Congress prohibited the District from spending any local funds to implement the law. The prohibition was lifted in the federal appropriations act for the District for the 2002 fiscal year. Domestic partnership in the District is open to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. All couples registered as domestic partners are entitled to the same rights as family members to visit their domestic partners in the hospital and to make decisions concerning the treatment of a domestic partner's remains after the partner's death. The measure also grants District of Columbia government employees rights to a number of benefits. Domestic partners are eligible for health care insurance coverage, can use annual leave or unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a dependent child or to care for a domestic partner or a partner's dependents, and can make funeral arrangements for a deceased partner. The Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2006, D.C. Law 16-79, came into effect on April 4, 2006. This act provides that in almost all cases a domestic partner will have the same rights as a spouse regarding inheritance, probate, guardianship, and other rights traditionally accorded to spouses.[11] D.C. Council on May 6, 2008 approved the addition of 39 new provisions to the city's domestic partners law, bringing the law to a point where same-sex couples who register as domestic partners will receive most, but not quite all, of the rights and benefits of marriage under District law.[12]

Hawaii

Reciprocal beneficiary registration was enacted in 1997. The law took effect on 1 June 1997.

Maine

In April 2004 the legislature passed a domestic partnership bill. The law, which provides same-sex individuals with inheritance rights over their partners' property and guardianship over their deceased partner, went into effect on July 30, 2004. On May 6, 2009, Maine's legislature and governor enacted a law to legalize same-sex marriage, but on November 3, 2009, that law was repealed by voters.[13][14] Maine legalized same-sex marriage in December 2012.[15]

Maryland

Since July 1, 2008, unmarried couples have been able to enter a designated unregistered beneficiary agreement which will grant them limited rights such as the right to visit one another in the hospital, the right to share a room in a nursing home, and the right to make funeral decisions.[16] A law on same-sex marriage went into effect on January 1, 2013.

Nevada

In Nevada domestic partnerships are granted all the benefits, rights, obligations and/or responsibilities of marriage (for both opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples over 18) and these have become legally available since 1 October 2009. The act specifically excludes requiring any entity to provide health benefits to domestic partners. In addition, due to vagueness in the verbiage of the act, most companies and entities within Nevada refuse to acknowledge or afford any major benefits or rights to registered domestic partners, leaving legal action as the only avenue to garner individual rights.

New Jersey

Domestic partnerships in New Jersey have been available since July 30, 2004 for same-sex couples, and for opposite-sex couples in which one person is above the age of 62. However, on October 25, 2006, the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled that under the New Jersey state constitution, the state could not deny the benefits of marriage to same-sex couples, although the court left it up to the legislature whether to call such relationships marriage or to use a different term. Complying with the court's ruling, on December 14, 2006, the New Jersey Legislature passed a bill establishing civil unions for same-sex couples, which was signed into law by the governor on December 21 and came into effect on February 19, 2007.

Oregon

The governor of Oregon, Ted Kulongoski, signed a domestic partnership bill into law on May 9, 2007. Called the Oregon Family Fairness Act, the law would provide several major rights to same-sex couples that were previously only given to married couples, including the ability to file jointly on insurance forms, hospital visitation rights, and rights relating to the deceased partner. The law's initial implementation was delayed by a federal Court, but the injunction was lifted on February 1, 2008 and the law went into effect on February 4.[17]

Washington

In the state of Washington, Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law legislation allowing limited domestic partnership on April 21, 2007. The law, which took effect July 22, 2007 and expanded to all areas except for marriage in 2008 and 2009, permits same-sex couples (as well as heterosexual couples when one individual is at least age 62) to register in a domestic partnership registry that allows couples hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, and inheritance rights when there is no will.[18] This follows the 1998 passage of a bill by the Washington State legislature that defined marriage as being between a man and a woman; this legislation was upheld by the Washington State Supreme Court in 2006.[19] Washington State Senate Report

Same-sex marriage was legalized in Washington with effect from December 6, 2012. As a result the domestic partneship law was amended so that from June 30, 2014, domestic partnerships will be available only when at least one of the partners is sixty-two years of age or older.[20]

Wisconsin

Wisconsin was the first state in the Midwest to legislatively enact same-sex unions. Out of about thirty states that have bans on same-sex marriage and civil unions, Wisconsin was the first (and only) to enact domestic partnerships.[21]

On March 5, 2009 Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle proposed legislation for same-sex partnerships in Wisconsin.

In June 2009, the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate both passed the biennial state budget which includes domestic partnership protections for the state's same-sex couples.[22][23]

On June 29, 2009, Governor Jim Doyle signed the budget, giving final approval to limited domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples living in Wisconsin.[24]

On July 23, 2009, three members of Wisconsin Family Action filed a petition for an original action in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, seeking a declaration that the domestic partner registry is unconstitutional under the state's Marriage Protection Amendment.[25]

The law went into effect on August 3, 2009.

November 4, 2009: The Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected Appling v. Doyle, Wisconsin Family Action's legal challenge to domestic partnerships.[26]

May 13, 2011: Governor Scott Walker asked to withdraw the state's defense of the domestic partnership registry.[27]

June 20, 2011: Dane County Judge Dan Moeser ruled that the domestic partnership registry does not violate the state constitution, finding that the state "does not recognize domestic partnership in a way that even remotely resembles how the state recognizes marriage".[28]

Other states

Many states recognize through their judicial systems cohabitation agreements and common law partner agreements concluded between two partners in a relationship.These are de facto domestic partnerships that protect both parties and allow for shared property and court recognition of their relationships.[29][29]

Sometimes adult adoption by gay couples creates a de jure domestic partnership in all 50 states.[30]

Local level

United States Military

On February 11, 2013, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta submitted a memorandum (subject: Extending Benefits to Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Military Members) that outlined benefits that would be made available to service members in domestic partnerships.[31] The newly listed benefits available to gay and lesbian service members includes:

Implementation of the plan was cancelled once the Supreme Court handed down its opinion in United States v. Windsor.

In Europe

In France since 1968, article 515-81 of Code civil defines domestic partnership (in French: concubinage or concubinage notoire[32]) as a de facto union between two persons, of different sex or of same sex, characterised by a stable and continuous cohabitation and partnership. The French fiscal administration takes it into account in the calculation of the solidarity tax on wealth but not for other purposes. All children enjoy equal right whether within or outside wedlock. Since 1999 French law also provides for a civil solidarity pact (in French: pacte civil de solidarité, or PACS), a contractual form of civil union between two adults bringing additional rights and responsibilities, but less so than marriage.

Portugal and Hungary have domestic partnerships, whereas most other nations in Europe recognize some form of civil unions, also called a registered partnership, or civil partnership for same-sex partners, which afford rights similar to marriage to LGBT couples. Croatia also had domestic partnerships until June 2014 when Croatian parliament passed a law allowing civil partnerships for same-sex couples giving them all rights except adoption rights.

In Hungary, since 1995[33] domestic partnership in the form of unregistered cohabitation offers a limited set of rights compared to marriage in a Civil Code (more in the field of health and pension; but no inheritance), although a growing number of Hungarian couples, both opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples choose this kind of partnership instead of marriage. In April 2009, the Hungarian Parliament passed a Registration Partnership Act 2009 with a vote of 199–159, which provides a registered partnership for same-sex couples with all the benefits and entitlements of marriage (except for marriage itself, adoption, IVF access, taking a partner's surname, parentage and surrogacy). The law was passed in December 2007 by a vote of 110–78, but the Constitutional Court of Hungary was "deeply concerned" that the law was a duplication of opposite-sex marriage benefits and entitlements, so same-sex couples only registration was chosen. Some politicians of the Alliance of Free Democrats and Hungarian Socialist Party parties have argued for the introduction of marriage for same-sex couples. The Registration Partnership Act 2009 came into effect from July 1, 2009.[34]

In Oceania

Australia

In Australia, all levels of Governments, plus even some Councils, such as Yarra, Melbourne and Sydney, now offer "de facto/domestic status" or a "registered or civil partnership" to both same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples. Nevertheless, since 2009, the Australian Government amended 100 statutes to recognise both opposite and same gender couples, but still bans same-sex marriages since 2004 under the Marriage Act 1961.

New Zealand

In 2001, the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 was extended to offer partners in unregistered "de facto" relationships similar rights to those of married couples. A de facto relationship is defined as a relationship between two persons living as a couple, who are not married or in a civil union. This applies to both heterosexual and same sex couples.[37] Since 2013, same-sex marriage is legally recognised and performed within New Zealand and still includes unregistered "de facto" relationships similar rights to those of married couples.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "A Brief History of Domestic Partnerships" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  2. ↑ admin, on May 26th, 2010% (2010-05-26). "Domestic-Partners". Divorce Law CA. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  3. ↑ Turner, Wallace (10 December 1982). "Partnership law vetoed on coast". New York Times.
  4. ↑ Bishop, Katherine (1989-05-31). "San Francisco Grants Recognition To Couples Who Aren't Married". New York Times.
  5. ↑ Bailey, Robert (1998). Gay Politics, Urban Politics. New York: Columbia University Press. p. 316. ISBN 978-0-231-09663-8.
  6. ↑ Reinhold, Robert (1990-10-30). "Campaign Trail; 2 Candidates Who Beat Death Itself". New York Times.
  7. ↑ "Filing a Domestic Partnership Agreement". San Francisco Office of the City Clerk. Retrieved 2008-11-19.
  8. ↑ "Two Year Report on the San Francisco Equal Rights Ordinance" (PDF). Sfgov.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  9. ↑ Garofoli, Joe (December 12, 2012). "Ethel Manheimer, Berkeley activist, dies". SFGate. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Ritter signs bill that will help gay couples". The Denver Post. Associated Press. 2009-04-09. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  11. ↑ Enter your Company or Top-Level Office. "DOH: Vital Records – Domestic Partnership FAQ". Dchealth.dc.gov. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  12. ↑ D.C. Council expands DP law – Washington Blade
  13. ↑ Susan M. Cover (4 November 2009). "Mainers vote down gay marriage law". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 4 November 2009. The measure is repealed in a close vote, 53–47 percent
  14. ↑ EqualityMaine – Maine's Domestic Partner Law Archived March 7, 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ↑ Sharp, David (December 29, 2012). "Gay marriage law goes into effect in Maine". Associated Press. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Maryland Marriage/Relationship Recognition Law". HRC. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  17. ↑ "Oregon governor signs gay rights bills". Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  18. ↑ La Corte, Rachel (April 21, 2007). "Gregoire signs domestic partnership measure into law". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 25, 2007.
  19. ↑ Johnson, Tracy (July 25, 2006). "State's high court upholds ban on gay marriage". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
  20. ↑ 26.60.030 Requirements.
  21. ↑ Journal Sentinel: Accessed June 9, 2012
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ George, Michael (2009-06-24). "All-Nighter: Assembly Passes Budget | Today's TMJ4 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ | Local News". Todaystmj4.com. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  24. ↑ "Basic Decency in Wisconsin « Human Rights Campaign". HRC Back Story. 2009-06-30. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  25. ↑ "Wisconsin Family Action: Asks State Supreme Court to declare Gov. Doyle's statewide, same-sex domestic partnership registry unconstitutional". WisPolitics.com. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  26. ↑ "Wisconsin Supreme Court Rejects Case Seeking to Strip Away Domestic Partnership Protections" (press release), Fair Wisconsin, Nov. 4, 2009.
  27. ↑ The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/wis-gov-walker-tells-judge-he-wants-to-stop-defending-domestic-partner-registry-law-in-court/2011/05/16/AFbsBD5G_story.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ↑ Judge rules Wisconsin same sex registry is constitutional
  29. 1 2 Dickler, Jessica (2004-11-02). "Prenups aren't just for married couples anymore". CNN. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  30. ↑ "Adult Adoption: A New Legal Tool for Lesbians and gay men". Golden Gate University. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  31. ↑ "MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS ACTING UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  32. ↑ The current meaning of the French concubinage therefore tends to stray away from the polygamous context or from female inferiority context of the English word concubinage (See English definitions on dictionary.com)
  33. ↑ "14/1995. (III. 13.) AB hatαrozat". Net.jogtar.hu. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
  34. ↑ "Gay and Lesbian Marriage, Partnership or Unions Worldwide". UK Gay News. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  35. ↑ "DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIPS ACT 1994 (NO 28 OF 1994)". Austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
  36. ↑ http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/2002/02AC074.pdf
  37. ↑ "Property (Relationships) Act 1976". New Zealand Legislation, Parliamentary Counsel Office. 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2012-06-12.

External links

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