GLAA endorses two domestic partner-related bills
”Fighting for equal rights since 1971”
P.O. Box 75265
Washington, D.C. 20013
June 29, 2007
The Honorable Phil Mendelson, Chairman
Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
RE: Testimony for the record in support of Bills 17-0135 and 17-0136
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
We regret that we cannot attend today’s hearing in person, but we ask you to accept this as testimony for the record in support of Bills 17-0135 and 17-0136. We commend these further efforts toward achieving equality for same-sex couples and their families in the District of Columbia.
Bill 17-0135, “Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Amendment Act of 2007,” will increase protections for the adopted children of domestic partners by putting their parents on a footing similar to married couples. When both parents are legally responsible for a child, the legal situation is brought more in line with common and reasonable expectations of a family, and the child enjoys greater security.
Bill 17-0136, “Domestic Partner Claim of Dead Bodies from the Anatomical Board Act of 2007,” will yield the dual benefit of respecting domestic partnerships during the most painful time of bereavement, while also sparing taxpayers the expense of a burial which is properly handled by the surviving partner.
These measures will build on the District’s tradition of upholding equal dignity for all citizens. They will advance the social good of normalizing same-sex relationships by according them both the rights and the responsibilities that other couples and the society at large take for granted. We urge their adoption, and thank you and your colleagues for supporting them.
Sincerely,
Barrett L. Brick
President