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The article reports on Bay Area activists' comment about the decision to disregard federal benefits for domestic partnerships or civil unions in a bill that aims to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act.

The article reports that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed 11 gay bills into law in January 2007. The new laws cover several issues from domestic partnerships to protecting youths in and out of schools. Among the laws that took effect on January 1, 2007 are the Joint Income Tax Filing Implementation bill and the Juvenile Justice Safety and Protection Act.

The article reports that the Wisconsin legislative body is in the midst of debate regarding the state budget and appropriations for domestic partner benefits of state government employees. The debate is divided along political party lines. Democratic Governor Jim Doyle has a line-item veto power in the 2007-2008 budget negotiations.

The article reports on the dismissal of an appeal by antigay activists regarding the domestic partnership law in California. The decision is the second time that antigay groups failed to convince the court to support them. Antigay groups claimed that the law violates the anti-gay marriage proposition. GLBT and civil rights advocates applauded the decision of the court on the issue.

Comments on the California state Supreme Court's ruling in the case, Koebke v. Bernardo Heights Country Club, that the Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act requires equal treatment for registered domestic partners and married couples under the Unruh Civil Rights Act (UCRA). Background on the case; Court's interpretation of the UCRA, which prohibits arbitrary discrimination by businesses against categories of persons.

Reports on the efforts of California Log Cabin Executive Director, Jeff Bissiri in lobbying for domestic partner rights in Sacramento. Details about an Assembly Committee hearing on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage; Bissiri's opposition to proposals to ban gay marriage; Existing marriage laws; Constitutional amendments.

Reports that California is set to implement the most comprehensive domestic partnership law in the United States effective January 1, 2005. Appeals court's refusal to deny a request by anti-gay groups; Emergency stay of the state's Domestic Partners Rights and Responsibilities Act; Similarity to the rights of married spouses.

Examines the implication of the domestic partner law AB205 for registered domestic partner in California. Grant of automatic rights like legally recognized parenting of children and health insurance for partners of state employees; Proposal that couples will be treated as spouses for the purpose of income assessment; Denial of benefits for persons with high-earning partners.

Presents news items on U.S. politics, as of January 15, 2004. Inauguration of Gavin Newsom, San Francisco, California; California First Lady Maria Shriver's need for a leave of absence to avoid conflict of interest with her job as NBC News anchor; New Jersey's domestic partnership rights law.

Reports on the failure of anti-gay lawmakers to defeat the domestic partners bill in California. Superior Court judge's refusal of the lawmakers' request for a preliminary injunction against the law; Failure of the antigay group to meet the deadline to turn in needed signatures to qualify their referendum.

Reports on the decision of the California secretary of the state's office to clear the way for the gathering of signatures. Aim of the referendum by state Senator William Knight and Assemblyman Ray Haynes to overturn the Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act; Need to collect a specified amount of signatures to qualify the measure for replacement on the ballot; Concern over the partisan political culture in California.

Reports that California Governor Gray Davis will sign into law the bill granting domestic partnership benefits to gay couples. Rationale and provisions of the bill; Opposition from an anti-gay conservatives; Campaign to recall Davis.

Reports on the failure of U.S. House social conservatives to block a domestic partner registry in Washington, D.C. Claims of the far right on the threat posed by the issue to marriage; Obstacles to the implementation of the city's domestic partner law.

The article reports that the Kentucky House Health and Welfare Committee has rejected a state Senate bill that would have barred public universities and other government agencies from providing domestic partner benefits.

The article reports that Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire has signed a domestic partnership law on April 21, 2007, making Washington the seventh state in the U.S. to establish legal recognition for same-sex couples. Massachusetts recognizes same-sex marriage, California recognizes domestic partnership, Hawaii recognizes reciprocal beneficiaries for couples and three other states, namely Connecticut, Vermont and New Jersey, issue civil union licenses.

Reports on the initiative of Representative Barney Frank in introducing a legislation that would allow for domestic partnership benefits for non-married federal employees, both gay and straight in the U.S. Details of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act; Effort of the federal government to recognize the changing workforce and value its employees; Call for an issue of fairness.

Advises an AIDS-positive man concerning AB205, a law governing domestic partnership in California. Rights, benefits and responsibilities granted to domestic partners; Registration of domestic partners; Impact of the law on the legal status of gay couples.

Assesses same-sex marriage in California. Rights and responsibilities of registered domestic partners; Changes in the registered domestic partnership law; Analysis of the partner law AB205.

Comments on the passage of the domestic partnership bill in California. Reactions of representatives of religious rights to the approval of the bill; Consequence of the additional rights and responsibilities of domestic partners; Speculations on the response of the Republicans to the approval.

Reports several approved bills related to gay rights in California. Enactment of the antigay marriage law; Legislation of the domestic party registry; Approval of the gay marriage bans in the country.

Reports on outgoing California Governor Gray Davis' signing into law a domestic partners bill. Formation of a task force to develop guidelines on the use of post-exposure prophylaxis for treating HIV; Approval of a state identification card for medical marijuana patients; Davis' veto of a bill that would have allowed pharmacies to sell syringes without prescription.

Reports that San Francisco, California Board of Supervisors will pass an ordinance recognizing domestic partner benefits recognized in other jurisdictions. Effect on gay couples; Amendment of the city's administrative code; Passage of a similar measure in Daly City.

Editorial. Focuses on California Governor Gray Davis' plan to sign into law a sweeping domestic partnership bill. Need to gain the gay vote in the run-up to the October 7, 2003 recall elections; Need to treat gay and straight couples equally; Davis' shift from centrist to progressive politics.

Reports on the speculations whether California Governor Gray Davis will veto the legislation on expanded domestic partnerships including gay marriages. Comments made by Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson on the plans of Davis to veto the bill; Denial issued by gubernatorial spokesman Russ Lopez on the bill's veto plans; Controversy regarding the use of the word 'marriage' in the bill.

Reports on two legislative bills that would expand the rights of California's domestic partners. AB205, Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act; AB17 prohibiting state agencies from contracting with businesses that discriminate in the benefits offered between employees with spouses and employees with registered domestic partners.

Reveals that the Bethany United Methodist Church will sponsor a series of forums and workshops about domestic partnerships. Goal of the workshops to increase responsiveness to the needs of domestic partners whose relationships the Methodist Church does not officially recognize.

Reports that San Francisco, California Supervisor Mark Leno has placed a charter amendment on the March 2002 ballot to fix an inequity in the domestic partnership benefits charter amendment passed in November 1994. Proposal to waive the registration requirement for employees who have retired on or before the election day of November 8, 1994; Impact of Leno's amendment on the city's budget.

Discusses the brief regarding the Chicago schools' same-sex-only domestic partner policy in Illinois. Implications of policy for gay rights; Fundamentally flawed version of constitutional analysis; Extension of benefits to opposite sex couples.