News

Graham Bills To Provide New Rights For Domestic Partners & Transgender Persons

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jason Yuckenberg
(202) 727-5820

July 10, 2007

Washington, DC – Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) introduced three bills today to offer new rights and protections for domestic partners and transgender persons in the District of Columbia.

Parental Equality:
The first bill allows the name of a registered domestic partner on the birth certificate of a child born to their domestic partner. The bill does not alter or diminish the rights of the biological father.

“Currently, for the non-birth parent to have a legal relationship with their partner’s child, they must formally adopt the child through a lengthy and expensive legal process,” said Councilmember Graham. “This bill brings registered domestic partners one step closer to being equal in status to married couples.”

Inheritance Tax Fairness:
The second bill gives domestic partners the same rights as married couples to leave an inheritance to each other while still postponing the inheritance tax. Currently, whenever a widow or widower inherits money from a spouse, no tax is paid on the inheritance until the surviving spouse passes away as well. However, domestic partners do not have this right, and must pay the tax immediately.

“Since domestic partners already have the same standing as married couples for purposes of probate,” said Councilmember Graham, “the District should begin treating domestic partners fairly at every stage of this important family financial issue.”

Transgender Discrimination Protection:
The third bill provides additional protections from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression.

“This Council has already decided that we will not accept gender discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression,” said Councilmember Graham. “This bill will specifically update the DC Code to be consistent with our commitment to fairness for transgender people.”

The bill:

• Ensures that complaints can be brought to the Police Complaints Review Board for gender identity and expression discrimination;

• Updates the standards for the advancement of transgender city personnel;

• Creates standards for services offered to transgender homeless;

• Prohibits insurance companies from using gender identity to discriminate or as a predictor of HIV status;

• And helps protect transgender people’s voting rights.

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