KGW.com – Curt Woodward – Associated Press
One of the first tests for Washington state’s new gay civil rights law has an intriguing twist: The complaint was filed by a heterosexual woman.
The state’s discrimination watchdogs are investigating the case, which claims unmarried straight people should get the same domestic partner benefits as their gay and lesbian co-workers.
But officials are treading carefully, Human Rights Commission Director Marc Brenman said, because upholding the claim could set a sweeping new precedent for Washington businesses.
“We have to proceed very, very cautiously because we could be creating new policy for employers and other entities in the state,” Brenman said Tuesday.