GLAA Celebrates Expansion of the District of Columbia Domestic Partnership Law
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Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington
P.O. Box 75265, Washington, D.C. 20013


NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 21, 2004
CONTACT: Bob Summersgill
(202) 667-5139


GLAA Celebrates Expansion of the District of Columbia Domestic Partnership Law


The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C. (GLAA) is celebrating the expansion of the District of Columbia domestic partnership law with coverage of financial rights and responsibilities. Specifically, domestic partners in the District may add each other to the deeds to their houses or titles to their cars without being subject to a prohibitory expense. Transfer of assets between domestic partners likewise is not taxed. This is the same for married spouses.

One witness testified at the hearing on the bill that she would have to pay $1300 in taxes to add her partner to the deed to her house.

More esoteric issues of tenant receivership and rental housing conversion and sale are also included giving domestic partners the same standing as married spouses for these rights and restrictions.

The "Deed Recordation Tax and Related Amendments Amendment Act of 2004" was co-introduced by every member of the D.C. Council. This is very unusual for either the D.C. Council or any city of state legislature in the country on domestic partnership legislation.

The bill was unanimously passed by the Council and signed by Mayor Anthony A. Williams earlier this year. It became effective on September 8 upon completion of the mandatory 30 legislative-day Congressional review period. No efforts were made on Capitol Hill to overturn the legislation, which was first introduced as Bill 15-462 will henceforth be known as Law 15-176.

GLAA was successful in persuading the D.C. Council to expand the bill from one right to five rights and responsibilities.

GLAA President Kevin Davis lauded the leadership provided by the D.C. Council, singling out Councilmember Jack Evans, who authored the legislation and guided it through the Council’s legislative process.

For further details, please consult the full text of the law at:
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/images/00001/20040512112856.pdf

Bob Summersgill’s testimony on the bill from December 10, 2003 is on GLAA’s website at:
http://www.glaa.org/archive/2003/deedrecordation1210.shtml

The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington is the nation’s oldest continuously active gay and lesbian civil rights organization, founded in 1971.

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