California Gay Partner Law Upheld

California’s sweeping domestic partner law was upheld today by a panel of judges on the state Appeals Court.

Two conservative groups opposing the law, which went into effect in January, sought to have it declared unconstitutional because it gave same-sex couples the most of the rights of marriage.

The appeals court said, “Contrary to petitioners’ suggestion, the Legislature has not created a ‘marriage’ by another name or granted domestic partners a status equivalent to married spouses.”

Two weeks ago, during arguments in the case, Robert H. Tyler, a lawyer for the Alliance Defense Fund argued that the law violated Proposition 22 which effectively bans same-sex marriage. (story) [...]

The law does not allow for joint filing for state taxes and certain other protections under state law. It also does not provide access to over 1,000 federal protections that heterosexual married couples enjoy. (source)