CONTACTAbout UsCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
New Mexico's senate was poised to vote Friday on a bill to legalize same-sex partnerships in the state, and equality advocates expect a fight as the 2007 legislative session counted down to its final hours.
HB 603, the Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act, would create a registry in which two adults in a committed relationship could become domestic partners, gaining access to basic health care coverage and family leave as well as presumption of parentage, inheritance rights, and decision making in case of a partner's incapacity. It would apply to both same-sex and unmarried heterosexual partners.
The bill, carried by Democratic representative Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque, passed New Mexico's house in February by an unexpectedly strong 33-24 vote. It faces a tougher battle in the state senate, where it is among more than 300 bills to be acted upon before the legislative session ends Saturday.
"We strongly believe that all New Mexicans deserve full equality under the law," Equality New Mexico said in a statement on its Web site. "However, we believe that domestic-partner legislation has the best chance of passing this session. As the statewide LGBT advocacy organization, we are committed to obtaining the maximum rights and benefits for as many as possible, as soon as possible."
New Mexico is one of only four states that has not defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman, though efforts to make the marriage application gender-neutral have failed. A so-called defense of marriage bill was killed in the house this year. (Barbara Wilcox, The Advocate)
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
31 Period Films of Lesbians and Bi Women in Love That Will Take You Back
December 09 2024 1:00 PM
18 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
October 30 2024 11:06 AM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
Melania Trump cashed six-figure check to speak to gay Republicans at Mar-a-Lago
August 16 2024 5:57 PM
Latest Stories
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to replace JD Vance in the U.S. Senate
January 17 2025 5:21 PM
Boxers NYC Bartenders Calendar: Buff boys bulging for a cause
January 17 2025 2:30 PM
Kara Swisher calls Mark Zuckerberg a 'small little creature with a shriveled soul'
January 17 2025 3:31 AM
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Ashley Moody as Marco Rubio's replacement in the Senate
January 16 2025 6:17 PM
Durk Dehner steps down from Tom of Finland Foundation after Nazi controversy
January 16 2025 4:48 PM
Queer TikTok creators remain hopeful despite Supreme Court’s ruling upholding TikTok ban
January 17 2025 5:05 PM
Joe Biden declares that Equal Rights Amendment is ‘law of the land’ in new announcement
January 17 2025 2:05 PM
Health and Human Services takes stand against nonconsensual intersex surgeries
January 16 2025 7:59 PM
EDM revolution: Anyma's residency at Sphere in Vegas
January 16 2025 6:00 PM
Megyn Kelly rants about 'obese' lesbians when talking about L.A. fires
January 16 2025 3:35 PM
Gay Congresswoman Becca Balint: I'll show Trump I'm not intimidated
January 17 2025 7:34 PM
The anti-LGBTQ+ clergy who'll be praying at Donald Trump's inauguration
January 17 2025 6:55 PM
Will TikTok go dark? Will Trump enforce the ban? Here's what to know
January 17 2025 3:18 PM
Panic at the disco: A new novel examines the queer mid-life crisis in a uniquely beautiful way
January 17 2025 1:29 PM
Supreme Court upholds ban on TikTok, ruling against a freedom of speech argument
January 17 2025 10:34 AM
Arienne Childrey on becoming Ohio's first trans city council member
January 17 2025 6:00 AM
Full list of performers at Trump's 2025 inauguration
January 16 2025 6:57 PM