Human Rights: Nearer to equality

Thanks to a bill passed by the Legislature, same-sex couples will be treated with substantially more fairness. That step is almost as noteworthy as last year's recognition of domestic partnerships.

The measure adds dozens of legal rights and responsibilities for domestic partners under state law. The bill adds same-sex couples to many areas of law affected by marriage, including probate, trusts, guardianship and powers of attorney. It also specifies mechanisms for ending domestic partnerships.

Even after Gov. Chris Gregoire signs the bill into law, there will still be perhaps 300 areas of state law where inequities ought to be addressed to give gays and lesbians equal treatment. But this is still very impressive progress for a state where it took years of often-nasty debate to even recognize the healthful aspects of committed relationships for everyone.

We suspect the rapid maturation of thinking here isn't unique. Knock on wood, but we will hope Sen. John McCain can avoid the blatant demagoguery on the issue employed in recent Republican campaigns. Barring a McBush re-creation of manufactured fervor for a U.S. constitutional amendment, marriage and domestic partnerships remain issues for the states. We're happy about this state's steps toward full equality of marriage and look forward to more gains in the near future.