A bill whose time has come

The New Mexico House has passed a bill establishing forms of domestic partnerships in the state, allowing non-traditional couples to have the same rights and benefits as married couples.We think this is a matter whose time has come. Sadly, the bill is stalled in the Senate, where a similar domestic partnership proposal stalled last year.We agree with supporters that this is simply a matter of fairness and simply offers basic legal protections to same-sex couples unable to marry as well as opposite-sex couples, many of whom are senior citizens and people with disabilities, that choose not to marry for financial reasons.While no one is hollering that many people remain unmarried to protect themselves from the government, the government should then not force them to lose other benefits of being a couple.We think the arguments by opponents that the bill would undermine the legal framework and “sanctity” of marriage fall short.One can argue that marriage is in trouble without this bill – just look at divorce rates.While we would argue that marriage is a different thing, it should not be used as a wedge to prevent people from enjoying what should be their rights.And if, by some logic, somehow this ends up being considered as “gay marriage,” so be it.

If you subscribe to the newspaper, you receive FREE access to all the exclusive content of the web site! Simply register to receive uninterrupted access to our award-winning and in-depth local online content!

Renew Current or Past Subscription / Register for Online Subscription

If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Los Alamos Monitor, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.

Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.

Newspaper Acct. ID:
Street Address:	(exactly as it appears on the label)

If you are a subscriber and you do not know your account ID or don't have a copy of your newspaper available that shows the information on the address label you can click continue below to search for your account.

New Subscription/30 Day Free Trial Account

If you are new to the award winning Los Alamos Monitor and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.

ZIP Code:

Create a limited access account.
Register to participate in community forums, post on the community calendar, blog etc. This registration does not give you full access to read our award winning content, etc.

The Los Alamos Monitor | lacirculation@lamonitor.com | 505-662-4185
256 DP Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday