On Friday, Deborah Grier and Kathy Snowden were the first couple to file same-sex civil union papers, finally giving their 21-year relationship legal recognition by the state of Arizona.
With a population of some 5,600 people, the small town of Bisbee is the first place in all of Arizona to legalize same-sex civil unions. Though it’s not quite marriage equality, it’s a step in the right direction. Grier and Snowden are now eligible for certain rights and privileges of marriage, such as the ability to make medical decisions for each other.
“It’s not marriage 100 percent but it protects us a little more,” Snowden told ABC affiliate KGUN9 in Tuscon. “We’ve had friends who have had major problems when one of them has been ill.”
According to Bisbee’s City attorney, the city wrote the documents like a contract between Grier and Snowden, meaning their civil union is legal outside Bisbee and throughout the U.S.. In June, Tuscon followed in Bisbee’s footsteps when the city council voted unanimously to allow domestic partnerships and same-sex civil unions.
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Proving the issue was contentious in Bisbee, opponents to the civil unions declined to speak to KGUN9 on camera for fear of being “harassed.”
jwrappaport
Ha! It’s Sowden, not Snowden.
Finally something positive from my state, although Bisbee is a pretty nifty place.
miagoodguy
Those are women?
Eric Auerbach
Queerty, I think it’s in really bad taste on your part to put up a picture of two men in an article about a lesbian coule. I know you think you’re being cute and funny, but it’s just plain disrespectful. Please take this photograph down and put up a picture of the actual couple.
vklortho
What the hell? Why the comments about their gender nonconformity?
sfbeast
Good for them. And they have a pooch to help celebrate.
alterego1980
@miagoodguy: That’s you being mean just for the sake of it…
Dakotahgeo
@miagoodguy: You have been flagged!
Dakotahgeo
@Eric Auerbach: YOU… have been flagged also. Get serious and be respectful!
alterego1980
Don’t get me wrong, It’s a great step forward. My one concern though is that this will further alienate Tuscon and other liberal pockets from the rest of the state. But maybe it will teach people to be more inclusive of others…
Eric Auerbach
@Dakotahgeo: You’re a dork.
Dakotahgeo
Absolute best wishes to the couple and lifelong happiness! And in AZ no less, lolol. The day will come when all states will be free to accept marriage equality! Inch by inch, everything’s a cinch! Success is NEVER sure; Failure is NEVER final! So shall it be!
Dakotahgeo, M.Div. Pastor/Chaplain
Dakotahgeo
@alterego1980: Thank you! We can only hope!
Dakotahgeo
@Eric Auerbach: Coming from you that is a Badge of Courage. Do they let you on the computer much at the asylum??!
dcguys
Congratulations & thank you for sharing this moment with us!
Dixie Rect
Everyone is just so touchy today, lighten up.
miagoodguy
lol I love getting flagged for saying what everyone (if they are honest) was thinking when they saw that pic.
Kangol
Congratulation to these brave, beautiful women and I hope they have many more happy years together!
technicolornina
I love how the bigots refuse to speak on camera “for fear of being harassed.” LOL NOW Y’ALL KNOW HOW WE FEEL, COWARDS!
estemonte
@miagoodguy: everyone (if they are honest AND a bigotted asswipe like you)
1EqualityUSA
The shallow genderful comments above were so disappointing. Why do we do this to each other?
N0.17, Kangol, your words were sweet. These women should be supported by the entire community. They are in love and it is beautiful. Equality from Coast to Coast.
miagoodguy
What’s bigoted about pointing out the obvious? They look like men in the picture posted with the article.
1EqualityUSA
I believe with all of my heart that being queer has a genetic basis. Many times my spouse and I have seen someone on T.V. or in an, “It gets better” video or on the news, who is so, so gay, male or female, and we’ve said, “It’s so genetic.” We were born this way. We get enough flack from PastorsPriestsandPricks, do we need to add to their voices?