Washington’s domestic partners get more rights this week
Posted on Jun 10, 2008 at 11:14 am
Seattle Times
June 9, 2008
"It's an exciting step forward," said Josh Friedes, advocacy director of the gay-rights group Equal Rights Washington. "This new law provides a significant basket of new rights, nevertheless, the safety net for our families remain inadequate." [Link]
June 9, 2008
"It's an exciting step forward," said Josh Friedes, advocacy director of the gay-rights group Equal Rights Washington. "This new law provides a significant basket of new rights, nevertheless, the safety net for our families remain inadequate." [Link]
Expanded partnership rights headed for governor’s desk
Posted on Mar 05, 2008 at 02:47 pm
Associated Press
March 5, 2008
The Legislature passed a measure Tuesday to expand the state’s domestic partnership law, granting same-sex couples more than 170 of the benefits and responsibilities given to married couples, including property and guardianship rights. The Senate gave final approval on a 29-20 vote after minimal debate. The bill now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it. [link]
March 5, 2008
The Legislature passed a measure Tuesday to expand the state’s domestic partnership law, granting same-sex couples more than 170 of the benefits and responsibilities given to married couples, including property and guardianship rights. The Senate gave final approval on a 29-20 vote after minimal debate. The bill now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it. [link]
Gay couples win new rights in bill
Posted on Mar 04, 2008 at 02:49 pm
Seattle Post Intelligencer
March 4, 2008
Gay and lesbian couples were brought one step closer to marriage equality Tuesday when the Legislature voted to extend 170 new rights to them, adding to groundwork begun last year with the passage of domestic partnership rights. [link]
March 4, 2008
Gay and lesbian couples were brought one step closer to marriage equality Tuesday when the Legislature voted to extend 170 new rights to them, adding to groundwork begun last year with the passage of domestic partnership rights. [link]
WA State House Passes DP Bill
Posted on Feb 15, 2008 at 02:51 pm
Advocate
February 15, 2008
"It is indeed symbolic that this vote comes as the 11th annual National Freedom to Marry Week comes to a close," Equal Rights Washington's Connie Watts said in a statement. "Equal Rights Washington and the prime sponsors of the Domestic Partnership Expansion Bill have been clear and unequivocal in stating that we are seeking full marriage equality for families formed by gay and lesbian couples." [link]
February 15, 2008
"It is indeed symbolic that this vote comes as the 11th annual National Freedom to Marry Week comes to a close," Equal Rights Washington's Connie Watts said in a statement. "Equal Rights Washington and the prime sponsors of the Domestic Partnership Expansion Bill have been clear and unequivocal in stating that we are seeking full marriage equality for families formed by gay and lesbian couples." [link]
For My Wife
Posted on Jan 23, 2008 at 02:53 pm
The Advocate
January 23, 2008
When a flash flood killed the renowned audiobook narrator Kate Fleming, her partner, Charlene Strong, endured firsthand the cruel consequences of having been unable to marry and secure legal protections. Now she is making a documentary to tell their story and change the law--in memory of the woman who was her wife in every way but legally. [link]
January 23, 2008
When a flash flood killed the renowned audiobook narrator Kate Fleming, her partner, Charlene Strong, endured firsthand the cruel consequences of having been unable to marry and secure legal protections. Now she is making a documentary to tell their story and change the law--in memory of the woman who was her wife in every way but legally. [link]
Add your voice to the chorus calling for equality and dignity
Posted on Aug 09, 2007 at 02:56 pm
Seattle Times
August 9, 2007
Even after Kate's passing, I still had to fight for recognition as her spouse. Since I was not her legal wife, the funeral director would not address me as Kate's family or let me make her funeral arrangements. Kate's mother had to sign the request for her cremation. The death certificate stated that she had never been married. Kate's voice could no longer speak out against these mounting indignities. Now that many presidential candidates are making the effort to listen to our stories, we must speak up about the gravity of the rights that anti-gay marriage amendments may take away. [link]
August 9, 2007
Even after Kate's passing, I still had to fight for recognition as her spouse. Since I was not her legal wife, the funeral director would not address me as Kate's family or let me make her funeral arrangements. Kate's mother had to sign the request for her cremation. The death certificate stated that she had never been married. Kate's voice could no longer speak out against these mounting indignities. Now that many presidential candidates are making the effort to listen to our stories, we must speak up about the gravity of the rights that anti-gay marriage amendments may take away. [link]
Same-sex couples register vows in Olympia
Posted on Jul 24, 2007 at 03:01 pm
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
July 24, 2007
Same-sex couples with mixed feelings lined up for domestic partner registration on Monday morning in Washington and "said the new set of legal rights that went into effect Monday morning — including hospital visitation, property inheritance and funeral planning — were steps in the right direction but still a far cry from full marriage equality." [link]
EDITORIAL: First comes partnership, then comes marriage
Posted on Jul 24, 2007 at 02:58 pm
The Seattle Times
July 24, 2007
The Seattle Times notes the importance of gaining some protections for same-sex couples with the new domestic partnership law in Washington, but presses activists to finish the job at the state Capitol by demanding full marriage equality: "The domestic-partnership law fortifies the argument for gay marriage. Supporters need to return to Olympia and push for what they should be civilly entitled to." [link]
July 24, 2007
The Seattle Times notes the importance of gaining some protections for same-sex couples with the new domestic partnership law in Washington, but presses activists to finish the job at the state Capitol by demanding full marriage equality: "The domestic-partnership law fortifies the argument for gay marriage. Supporters need to return to Olympia and push for what they should be civilly entitled to." [link]
Domestic partners line up for rights with reservations
Posted on Jul 20, 2007 at 03:02 pm
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
July 20, 2007
Paul Thomasson and his partner, Paul Phelps, took time Friday to get their registration form notarized and plan to register by mail. Thomasson's parents asked if they could hold a reception after their son and Phelps registered as domestic partners. Phelps declined, saying the process was a "half-step" of legal rights. "You would not celebrate after visiting your attorney and executing a living will and deciding what (your partner) will do after you die, as callous as it sounds," Phelps said. [link]
July 20, 2007
Paul Thomasson and his partner, Paul Phelps, took time Friday to get their registration form notarized and plan to register by mail. Thomasson's parents asked if they could hold a reception after their son and Phelps registered as domestic partners. Phelps declined, saying the process was a "half-step" of legal rights. "You would not celebrate after visiting your attorney and executing a living will and deciding what (your partner) will do after you die, as callous as it sounds," Phelps said. [link]
WA woman shares tale of denial at bedside of her dying partner
Posted on Jun 17, 2007 at 11:53 am
The Olympian
June 17, 2007
Four months ago, Lacey resident Janice Langbehn, her partner Lisa Pond and their children Katie, David and Danielle, ages 10 to 13, were set for a relaxing cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. But Pond, Langbehn's partner for nearly 18 years, was stricken in Miami with a brain aneurysm and died. After Pond was taken to the emergency room, Langbehn said she was informed by a social worker that they were in an "anti-gay state" and that they needed legal paperwork before Langbehn could see Pond. The family was not allowed to be with her in the emergency room, and Langbehn's authority to make decisions for Pond was not recognized. [Link]
June 17, 2007
Four months ago, Lacey resident Janice Langbehn, her partner Lisa Pond and their children Katie, David and Danielle, ages 10 to 13, were set for a relaxing cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. But Pond, Langbehn's partner for nearly 18 years, was stricken in Miami with a brain aneurysm and died. After Pond was taken to the emergency room, Langbehn said she was informed by a social worker that they were in an "anti-gay state" and that they needed legal paperwork before Langbehn could see Pond. The family was not allowed to be with her in the emergency room, and Langbehn's authority to make decisions for Pond was not recognized. [Link]