I was wondering when my girlfriend comes out is it possible for us to go through with becoming domestic partners? Would her time in prison prevent this from happening in the state of California? I plan to relocate there in February. We were planning to do it before then, but this unfortunate thing happened. To become domestic partners in NY is too difficult. Can anyone help me? It would be greatly appreciated.

Diane

Diane,

Are you talking about a 'legal' arrangement?

To my knowledge (but I have been wrong before) there is no where in the US today that 'partnership/marriage' is legal for same sex couples?

I am in Canada and it has just been legalized - this action is being watched closely by a lot of US states. Many American same sex couples are crossing our border to become legally married - yes it is only legal at the moment in Canada, but they are doing so to make a statement and to have their legal union formalized in the hopes that the USA will follow suit!

On the other side of the coin - there is never anything stopping you from having a legal contract between you - but it will still not be recognized when it comes to a 'family' issue in the same way that a legal marriage between heterosexuals is.

hi tiasgirl! i just found this link for you.

http://www.ss.ca.gov/dpregistry/

i don't think your girlfriends prison time will interfere with the legality of your marriage to her. my girlfriend and i want to get married eventually, and she just told me how the governor is trying to pass a law that will allow domestic partners to be able to go through sticky divorces like straight couples, but we still won't be able to file taxes together and get the tax breaks that straight people get because that stuff is federal. oh well. hope the link helps you!

-amy underpants

Eugene, Oregon now has domestic partnership registration. It's not marriage, but does allow for quite a few of the legal benefits previously only available to married straight couples.

This is not an issue that I know much about, but because two of Mike and I's dearest friends are in a similar situation I felt compelled to share what little I do know. In Missouri I do know that a same sex couple can legally adopt together and be recognized as a union. That was possible for them this past Spring.

I know in Hawaii, same sex marriages are legal and recognized, I live in California, but I am unsure of the laws here