The Nevada Sagebrush

It is a shame that the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of Nevada must accept the term “domestic partnership” as a victory for GLBT rights.

It is a term that, despite any practical benefits it may grant, reeks of second-class citizenship under the false “separate but equal” mantra. But it is also the only option the GLBT crowd has left to pursue short of repealing Nevada’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and woman.

Despite those shortcomings, the state legislature needs to pass the Nevada Domestic Partnership Act.

The bill, which went before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor on Friday, will grant GLBT people the same rights and responsibilities as traditional married couples.

The rights are long deserved.

Had the bill been enacted two years ago, it would have allowed Pamela Brooks, who was present on Friday, to be treated as family when her partner of nine years died. Instead, Brooks was ushered to the side and told to call next of kin, with no time to grieve herself.

No solid argument can be made for why Brooks was shuffled to the side.

She said at Friday’s meeting that her partner’s father didn’t care to visit and wasn’t there for his daughter’s death.

But he was the only one permitted to visit her. Brooks could have given her partner comfort in her last minutes and received her own closure at an emotionally trying time.

Rights like the ones denied to Brooks would make Nevada more attractive to GLBT couples.

They can spend their last moments together and enjoy the spousal benefits offered by their jobs.

Jill Switzer is a veteran of the National Guard. She has four sons she raised with her same-sex partner.

Legally, the six people are not a family, despite the neighborhood teenagers calling both women “mom.”

She rightfully worries about classification when planning the future with her partner. Should one be laid off, the other’s health care benefits won’t transfer over.

And as they get older, they are seeing their share of medical issues, Switzer said at Friday’s meeting.

It is cruel for the people of Nevada to deny Switzer and her partner the rights they take for granted. She has served her country, her state and her boys.

The least she deserves is equal treatment for herself and her partner. The Domestic Partnership Act is the way to accomplish that.

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