The California Assembly has just passed a legislation making it easier for men to take their wives surnames. The bill passed on Monday would remove gender bias from both marriage and domestic partnership applications, allowing each spouse or partner, regardless of their gender, the same opportunity to select a new name.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of Michael Buday, after he tried unsuccessfully several times to adopt his wifes last name as his own.
Seven states, including Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, and North Dakota currently recognise a husbands right to take his wifes last name upon marriage.
While Massachusetts allows same-sex couples who are legally married to change their surnames, California would become the first state to allow domestic partners to change their names if the proposed bill becomes law.
clipped from: mangalorean.com