Sacramento, CA –Today on the Assembly Floor, AB 102—the Name Equality Act of 2007, authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) passed with a vote of 41-22. The bill would allow soon to be married spouses and domestic partners equal opportunity, regardless of gender, to change their surnames upon marriage or domestic partnership registration.  With bipartisan support, the bill now moves to the Governor.

“This legislation is about equality, flexibility, and getting with the times,” Assemblywoman Ma said.

The bill was introduced on the heels of the case of Michael Buday and his wife Diana Bijon.  The couple wanted to extend the Bijon family name into another generation. A county clerk, the DMV and state records office denied Buday’s name change request on the couple’s marriage applications, leaving them only with the option of paying court fees totaling more than $300. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a suit in federal court charging that Buday is a victim of discrimination. Seven states, including Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, and North Dakota currently recognize a husband's right to take his wife's last name upon marriage.

 “People like Mr. Buday have brought to light an inequity in California law that favors tradition over a couple’s rights,” said Assemblywoman Ma.  “This legislation treats both partners in a committed relationship equally.”

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 on the domestic partnership registration form if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the bill.

AB 102 is sponsored by the ACLU and Equality California (EQCA).