With veto override, domestic partners bill becomes law
Nevada becomes 17th state to recognize gay relationships
By Cy Ryan, Las Vegas Sun
Sun, May 31, 2009 (8:02 p.m.)

CARSON CITY – In what supporters are calling a historic moment, the Assembly on Sunday night overrode the veto of Gov. Jim Gibbons on a bill giving legal rights to domestic partners.

Tod Story, a member of the board of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, said "Nevadans can stand proud."

Story said Nevada has become the 17th state to recognize the relationships of gay and lesbian couples under state law.

The law takes effect Oct. 1.

The vote Sunday night was 28-14, the bare minimum needed to overturn the decision of the governor. It follows the 14-7 vote in the Senate Saturday and puts the bill into law.

Gary Peck, executive director of the ACLU in Nevada, said “this is a proud day in Nevada’s history. With its override, our Legislature has put our state on the right side of a growing movement to honor this country’s promise that every one of us is entitled to equal treatment under the law.”

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, who gave the only speech on the floor, called this a “historic vote for equality and justice.”

“This is the most important civil rights legislation we’ve had in all my years here and I am so happy and honored to be a part of it.”

Senate overrides governor’s veto of domestic partners bill
Measure to give domestic partners same or equal rights as married couples
By Cy Ryan, Las Vegas Sun
Sat, May 30, 2009 (8:12 p.m.)

CARSON CITY – The Senate has overridden the veto of Gov. Jim Gibbons on the controversial bill to provide certain legal rights to domestic partners.

The vote was 14-7 and the bill goes to the Assembly. Fourteen votes were needed for the two-thirds majority to override the veto of the governor.

Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, said this bill is about “equality and fairness.” This allows domestic partners, either of the same or opposite sex, the same rights and duties as marriage couples.

Opponents say these domestic partners can get the same rights by signing contracts. But Parks said getting legal contracts is cumbersome and cost prohibitive. “There is no guarantee they will stand up.”

Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, who voted against the bill the first time it appeared in the Senate, changed his vote. And he said he received many calls that were “ugly, vulgar and threatening messages” from people who oppose the bill.

“Senate Bill 283 does not alter or redefine marriage,” Nolan said.