By SANDRA CHEREB (AP) – Oct 1, 2009

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Nevada's secretary of state issued domestic partnership certificate No. 1 at the state Capitol on Thursday as a state law providing many of the same legal rights as marriage to gay and straight partners went into effect.

The first couple to be issued the certificate — Lee Cagley and Larry Davis — shared tears and laughter and were congratulated by Secretary of State Ross Miller.

"This gives us the legal rights to act for each other's benefit," said Davis, a funeral home director. "It's a wonderful privilege and we're grateful."

While Nevada's constitution bans same-sex marriage, the domestic partnership law extends rights similar to those held by married couples — including community property and the right to seek financial support after a breakup — to cohabitating couples.

Nevada's law permits, but doesn't require, employers to extend insurance benefits to domestic partners.

The measure was vetoed by Gov. Jim Gibbons, but overridden by lawmakers in May. Couples, both gay and straight, were allowed to pre-register between Aug. 24 and Sept. 24 to receive their certificates on Oct. 1. Registration is ongoing, and about 750 couples had applied as of midday Thursday.

In southern Nevada, Joleen Toves, 28, and Lisa Villagomez, 25, of North Las Vegas said they considered their partnership a positive step in a personal and political struggle. Their legal status as partners will help them through medical emergencies and other issues married couples commonly face, Toves said.

"It's such a great thing to be able to make decisions for each other and have each other on very important life-changing decisions," Toves said, as she held a white envelope containing their certificate. "She's going to be, of course, my next of kin."

The couple were joined by Toves' 4-year-old daughter Leilei.

Toves, a bank manager, said they considered getting married in California before an amendment banning gay marriage was passed last year. She said she believes the Nevada law passed in part because it also provides partnership rights for straight couples who choose not to marry.

Nevada joins 16 other states that have laws recognizing domestic arrangements outside of marriage.

State Sen. David Parks, who sponsored the Senate version of the bill, said Thursday was a big day for Nevada.

"It's a day I didn't think would come quite as quickly as it has," the Las Vegas Democrat said at the Capitol.

Cagley, 58, and Davis, 48, said they've been in a relationship for three years, and held a commitment ceremony on Oct. 13, 2007, in Las Vegas. They also were married in California on Aug. 3, 2008, before voters there overturned gay marriage in the state.

An interior designer, Cagley oversaw renovations to the century-old Governor's Mansion in the late 1990s, when Miller's father was a Democratic governor and his mother, Sandy, was Nevada's first lady.

Sandy Miller, who has known Cagley for many years, was on hand Thursday to share the couple's happy day.

"I wish them much happiness," she said.

Associated Press reporter Oskar Garcia in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

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