Imagine doctors and nurses keeping you in the dark about the condition of your spouse who has just been hit by a car or being denied visitation rights in the intensive-care unit.

Until recently, gay and lesbian couples in Washington state were denied this access.

The State Legislature passed a domestic-partnership bill Tuesday by a 63-35 House vote, granting rights to gays, lesbians and unmarried heterosexual couples older than 62.

Domestic partners will be authorized to make funeral arrangements, inherit property when there is no will and give consent for health care, among other things.

Sen. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) the prime sponsor of the bill, said he is confident the public's attitudes toward gays and lesbians are changing.

"As a gay man in a relationship for 15 years, he obviously has very personal reasons for wanting this legislation to be the law of the land," Murray's press secretary Jeff Reading said. "Through this effort, he believes the day will come when the public agrees it's only fair to allow gay and lesbian people to marry, and that that day will come soon."

A public opinion poll conducted by independent pollster Stuart Elway found in early February that nearly 60 percent of Washington voters approve of same-sex domestic partnership rights.

However, opponents in the Christian community have already begun a referendum to overturn the new bill, Sen. Dan Swecker (R-Rochester) said. Since the bill is narrowly defined and below the radar, it would be difficult to overturn.

"I am more opposed to domestic partnerships than gay marriage because it has a divine suite of benefits for people, and it does not stipulate the obligations and social expectations we have for marriage," Swecker said.

Swecker, who lead a charge against the bill, said it will lead to less commitment in long-term relationships and ultimately hurt the next generation.

"Because legal obligations are not mutually shared between domestic partners, we will see all kinds of societal problems in children, such as substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and so on," Swecker said.

After a three-minute rule that abbreviated the bill's debate in the House, Democrats voted down the Republican amendments.

Eligible couples would have to share a home, not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else and be at least 18.

Kelsey Mussman, ASUW's Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender Commission (GBLTC) director, said that any impact on the state has an impact on students.

"I think the bill is a step toward equal rights, which is what this country is about," Mussman said.

Recently, the GBLTC helped with an agenda in support of transgender inclusive health care that was sent to Olympia. The project was headed by student lobbyist Bryce McKibben.

"I really think people are opening up their minds to these rights, regardless of sexual orientation," Mussman said.

Reach reporter Liz Burlingame at news@thedaily.washington.edu.