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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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| RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC
PARTNERSHIPS IS VOLUNTARY "Washington State's Domestic Partnership law does not demand that a business or medical facility recognize the partnership&" So goes the e-mail I received from a supervisor with the Secretary of State's office. In May, I went to a local publicly financed hospital's emergency room for treatment of an on-the-job injury. During the registration process, I was asked for my next of kin. I gave them the name of my domestic partner, but I was told the next of kin had to be a blood relative or a spouse. I informed the person that I was in a Registered Domestic Partnership in the State of Washington. She was not to be swayed; I had to provide the name of a blood relative, even if that person lived in another state. The next day I filed a complaint with the hospital and the Secretary of State's office. I also sent a copy of my complaint to two Seattle City Council members, one King County Council member, two state senators, two state representatives, as well as informing a statewide GLBT advocacy organization. The hospital responded that they were in the wrong and they would provide more training to their employees. Both Seattle city council members have ignored my complaint. The King County council member also ignored my complaint. A supervisor from the secretary of state's office wrote back, "The Domestic Partnership law was established to help eliminate the problems you have just run into. Unfortunately, it is just an avenue and does not demand that a business or medical facility recognize the partnership. It sounds like they have an internal policy." In other words, following the State domestic [partnership] policy is voluntary and there is no force to comply and no recourse to those who feel they have been wronged. I once again notified the two Seattle City council members, one King County council member, two state senators, two state representatives, and the statewide GLBT advocacy organization. I have not received a response from the statewide GLBT advocacy organization, both Seattle city council members, one King County council member, one state senator and one state representative. The state senator and state representative that did respond were very interested in getting the local public hospital to change their procedures, but have shown little to no interest in getting a correction issued from the secretary of state's office. While I was told by the state senator that the secretary of state's office is wrong, I have received no retraction from them, there is not correction posted on their website. In short, according to the Washington State secretary of state's office, recognizing Domestic Partnerships is voluntary, and you have no recourse. Your elected representatives don't care, and you are on your own. Joseph W. Grande THING ONE AND THING TWO To the editor: Two things about the July 11 SGN: Thing 1: Bad headline on page 7 [Christians boycott McDonald's, National News]. Christians are not boycotting McDonald's; the American Family Association is. They may call themselves Christian, but they speak and act only for the AFA. Thing 2: Good story by Wayne Besen on page 16 [Out of focus on the family], showing how little time, effort and money the AFA and other such groups invest in improving and supporting American family life. Thanks. John Medlin SEATTLE FULL OF PRIDE The Gay community welcomed Pride in a very positive manner with much celebrating and a variety of activities. It was a festive time for all concerned. Gay bars went all-out to provide their customers with a special time to remember for years to come. It meant much preparation and creativity. The Cuff went all-out on Pride day to demonstrate organization, planning, and attention to many details involved with such a tremendous undertaking, and countless hours spent making sure success was not easily warranted except when a good job was done by the staff. Buzz Flowers Callaway |
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