Mar 13, 2009   | COMMENTS     

WASHINGTON — The only out lesbian in Congress intends to drop legislation this month that would benefit the partners of gay federal government employees.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said during a Center for American Progress conference call March 5 that she intends to introduce the Domestic Partner Benefits & Obligations Act “shortly” in the U.S. House.

Baldwin spokesperson Jerilyn Goodman later told the Blade that Baldwin is hoping to introduce the legislation this month.

The bill would grant the partners of gay federal employees the same benefits that are available to the spouses of straight employees. Versions of the bill considered in the last session of Congress would have granted benefits such as access to health benefits, life insurance and disability.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) will co-sponsor the bill in the House and, as in the last session of Congress, U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will sponsor legislation in the Senate, Goodman said. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) will co-sponsor the Senate bill, Goodman said.

Baldwin intends to introduce the House version of the legislation simultaneously with the introduction of the Senate version of the bill.

“I know that as the author of this measure,” Baldwin said, “we have to continue to educate for both marriage equality and equal employment benefits for domestic partners, and it’s important in that educational process to have the facts about how the current state of inequality affects those in same-sex partnerships.”

Support for Hawaii civil unions slipping

HONOLULU (AP) — The drive to make Hawaii the fifth state to allow same-sex civil unions is on the verge of failing, despite support from most state lawmakers.

Hawaii Senate leaders had planned a vote before the full Senate this week, but deep divisions emerged over whether Democrats should take an extraordinary legislative step to revive the measure after a tie committee vote.

A tie vote in committee usually is enough to kill a measure, but the bill could advance under a rarely used provision of the Hawaii Constitution if more than one-third of senators approve.

The Democratic leadership wants more than half the Senate to agree to put the bill before the full Senate. Some rank-and-file senators who support the bill, however, are unwilling to circumvent the normal legislative process. The measure has passed the Hawaii House.

If the bill doesn’t come out of committee, the issue may not come up again until near the end of this year’s legislative session in May, or lawmakers could decide to drop the issue entirely.

Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire are the other states that allow civil unions.

Civil unions bill moves to Ill. House floor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Supporters of same-sex marriage say 2009 could be the year Illinois seriously considers establishing civil unions, but opponents say the pendulum of public support is swinging the other way.

A bill giving gay couples the right to form civil unions squeaked through a legislative committee last week. It would not legalize same-sex marriage, but it would give gay couples many of the legal benefits of marriage.

Rep. Deb Mell, who is gay, said 648 state laws — on topics from inheritance to health care — help married couples.

“I find it very strange that I can be elected to the General Assembly and vote on rules and laws, but these don’t apply to me and my family,” said Mell, D-Chicago. “We’re not protected.”

The bill was approved 4-3 by the House Youth & Family Committee on March 5. Similar legislation also made it to the House floor last year, but the sponsor said he never had enough support to call it for a vote.

Supporters say that could change this year as people grow more accustomed to the idea of same-sex marriages and civil unions.