Talk:Domestic partnership in California

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Constitutional Amendments Edits

I reverted changes to this section today, as the replacement section was less NPOV than the original, although I agree that neither is truly NPOV. Both versions ascribe motivations that are not sourced. Does someone have time to cleanup this section? --Robb0995 20:33, 18 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I added a few citations for this section (a rather obvious omission). I also made some minor changes to the language, but I agree that there's still some POV in there. I'd also encourage an edit if anyone has the time. Wonderbreadsf 20:20, 20 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

REMOVED: Implications

This is a perfectly interesting anecdote describing life under the DP regime. Unfortunately it lacks any verification or citation. Tone is also troubling (strays into POV): “A true example of,” “More momumental…” etc. Absent any citation, phrases like “However, further research indicates” strongly suggest original research.

I found it awkward enough that I dropped the whole thing. If someone can bring it up to community standards it might make a fine addition to the article. For reference, here is the section in its entirety:

===Implications===

A true example of the effect and after effects of A.B. 205 is as follows: Kevin N. and Don K. of Hollywood, California entered into a domestic partnership and Don K. changed his name to Don N. It is believed that they are the first (and possibly the only) same gender couple in California to utilize the domestic partnership legislation to effectuate such a change. Don N. had his driver's license re-issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV") under his new name. More momumental however was the fact that the federal government recognized the name change in changing Don N.'s name on his re-issued Social Security card. Furthermore, Don N. used the mail-in renewal process to renew his United States State Department passport and included his domestic partnership registration as proof of the name change. In California this process was previously available for only persons who had their name changed by adoption, court order, or marriage license. The State Department, however, recognized the domestic partnership registration as sufficient legal proof of the name change and issued the renewed passport using the procedure previously available for only married couples.

However, further research indicates that after the same gender couple used A.B. 205 for name change purposes, the California Department of Motor Vehicles issued guidelines for name changes and expressly now require that both the former name and the new name be on the legal document. Because the California domestic partnership registration form contains no line to indicate what name is to be used, the California DMV no longer recognizes domestic partnerships for name change purposes and this policy appears to violate the intent of A.B. 205, the clear wording of Family Code § 297.5, and the past practice of the California DMV itself.

California Law requires all public agencies in the state, including but not limited to, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to treat state registered domestic partners in the eact same manner that they would treat married spouses(See California Family Code 297.5(h)). It is also stated in the DMV employee handbook that a certificate of registered domestic partnership is acceptable proof of surname change.

Wonderbreadsf 01:49, 12 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Link to SB 1827 page

Can I ask why you removed the link to a new page to specifically address SB 1827 which will be getting a lot of attention this year as it requires DPs to file state as married? --Robb0995 03:09, 12 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

EGAD! Sorry, I completely missed that link. I certainly agree it's very important. (I've had enough hassles with the FTB, which are always a nightmare to resolve.) Thanks! Wonderbreadsf 03:46, 12 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. I created the new page because I kept hearing about passage of the bill and had a tough time finding a clear answer about what it meant to me this year. I'm hoping some more knowledgeable people can fill in more info. --Robb0995 06:10, 12 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Domestic partnership or already civil union ?

Is it correct to speak 2006 from domestic partnership in California or is it more correct to write it is a civil union already ?GLGerman 08:07, 22 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

So i´m not quite sure, if the law in California is already a Civil Union in fact. Maybe there is only the "name" Domestic partnership" but it is in reality already a civil union ?GLGerman 10:33, 22 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Before 2005, there was a meaningful distinction between a California "domestic partnership" and civil unions (civil unions, at least here in the U.S., were much broader in scope). As of 2005, California expanded its domestic-partnership program so dramatically that I agree that it is now in fact a civil-union program.

When writing in general terms, I think it is correct to include California in a list of governments that offer "civil unions." When discussing the particulars of the California program, I use "domestic partnerships" solely because that's the official name in California. Wonderbreadsf 17:55, 22 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]