Gay Rights Milestone (Press, 16 June 1989)

On 16 June 1989, San Francisco made significant strides in gay rights legislation. The city's Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a law to recognise and register “domestic partners,” a term that includes both homosexual couples and non-married heterosexual pairs. This milestone ordinance mandates that partners who reside together and share living expenses can formalise their relationship by declaring themselves as domestic partners. The law ensures that these couples cannot be discriminated against within their domestic arrangement. To register as domestic partners, individuals must pay a fee of US$35 and commit to cohabitating while sharing expenses. It is important to note that one cannot be married when entering into this partnership. The law also stipulates that if a relationship ends, formal notification must be given, and a new partnership cannot be established for at least six months afterwards. For those hesitant to use the public registry at City Hall, a formalised status can still be achieved through a witnessed statement signed by a notary. While the law may not offer extensive practical advantages, it does afford some key benefits. Notably, it grants partners the right to visit each other in hospitals, a necessity highlighted by the high incidence of AIDS in the city, which has profoundly impacted many homosexual relationships. In the broader context, this ordinance positions San Francisco at the forefront of the fight for gay rights in the United States, as it is the first of its kind in the country. However, it follows similar steps taken by three other Californian cities—Santa Cruz, Berkeley, and West Hollywood—that have proposed spousal benefits for unmarried partners, though it is often unmarried heterosexual couples who benefit from these laws. In a related development, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is advocating for the recognition of homosexual partners as “family members” in the framework of existing rent control laws in New York, a case highlighting ongoing struggles for legal recognition and protection of gay relationships in various contexts. Meanwhile, Denmark has surpassed these advancements by enacting a "registered partnership" law that provides homosexuals with nearly all the legal rights of married couples, apart from the adoption right. This legislation, approved by the Danish Parliament with a 71 to 47 vote, has seen little public protest, though it faces opposition from organisations like the Catholic Church. In summary, the developments in San Francisco and Denmark represent significant milestones in the pursuit of equal rights for homosexuals, reflecting shifting legal and societal norms surrounding domestic partnerships and marriage.

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