Gay, lesbian inmates getting conjugal visits
California has started allowing overnight visits for gay and lesbian partners of prison inmates to conform with the state’s domestic partnership law.
California is one of just six states that allow overnight family visits, which take place in trailers or other housing on prison grounds. But attorneys, gay rights advocates and corrections officials said they know of no other state that permits conjugal visits by same-sex partners.
Since the 1970s, immediate family members have been able to visit many prison inmates for up to three days at a time.
The privilege is being expanded to registered domestic partners under a law signed by former Gov. Gray Davis that took effect in 2005.
It requires state agencies to give the same rights to domestic partners that heterosexual couples receive.
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