Washington
Washington is currently one of the states in the U.S. to offer some form of protections and responsibilities to same-sex couples and their families. On April 21, 2007, Governor Christine Gregoire signed the Domestic Partner Bill into law. The law took effect on July 23, 2007, approximately one year after the Washington State Supreme Court ruled against marriage equality for same-sex couples . State advocates and citizens throughout Washington continue to work for true fairness and equality (pdf) for same-sex couples and their families by ending their exclusion from marriage.
FROM EVAN WOLFSON:
"Marriage Makes a Word of
Difference"
Originally published by
Portland Mercury
June 14, 2007
By Evan Wolfson
Evan Wolfson answers the question so often asked of same-sex
couples wanting to end their exclusion from marriage, "Why
can't you just call it something else?," by explaining how
the "clarity, security, and dignity [of the word marriage] is
precious and irreplaceable."
Marriage? Babies Required!
February 8, 2007
Evan Wolfson debates Charmaine Yoest MSNBC News Live regarding the merits of Washington State's Initiative 957 which would require couples who have not procreated after 3 years of marriage to lose their license. The initiative is a clear attempt to challenge the Washington State Supreme Court's mandate that same sex couples exclusion from marriage is warranted by the need for non-gay couples to and their kids to have their reproduction privileged by the state. What about gay couples and their kids? No protections for them? Evan Wolfson lays bare the claims of the anti-gay Family Research Council in mere seconds!
Stay in the fight: The court stumbled, but the movement for justice continues
The Stranger
July 28, 2006
Evan Wolfson critiques the Washington state high court's decision in 2006 where the court stumbled to provide marriage equality with a sharply divided 5-4 ruling and concludes the movement for justice must go on.
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WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Equal Rights Washington
Equal Rights Washington (ERW) is a statewide political advocacy organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community of Washington State. ERW works to end discrimination against LGBT people throughout the state.
Legal Marriage Alliance of Washington
A nonprofit organization committed to achieving the legal right of civil marriage for same-sex couples in Washington State.
Religious Coalition for Equality
The Religious Coalition for Equality is an interfaith association of lay persons and clergy committed to this twofold purpose: to educate Washington State citizens about and to advocate for marriage equality for all couples and the civil rights of all.
ACLU-Washington: Marriage Equality
Today the ACLU of Washington takes on major law reform through litigation and legislative action.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN WASHINGTON:
Your Community—Washington
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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PUBLICATIONS:
Washington Census Snapshot
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Washington.
Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the
American Community Survey
Williams Institute
November 2007
Gary Gates at the Williams Institute released groundbreaking research
on the geographic trends among same-sex couples. The report finds the
biggest increases in Southern and Mountain states and states barring
legal acceptance of same-sex couples had larger percentage increases
in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2006.
Equal Rights Washington Domestic Partnership Survey Results (pdf)
Equal Rights Washington
July 13, 2007
Equal Rights Washington (EWR) performed a survey of same-sex couples planning to register as domestic partners once the new Washington law became available on July 23, 2007. ERW found "Respondents' attitudes toward the domestic partnership registry were generally enthusiastic but not without reservations. While many respondents were excited to participate in a significant advancement for equality, a large majority emphasized their desire to attain full marriage equality."
Let's Talk About Marriage: Talking Points (pdf)
Equal Rights Washington
ERW offers talking points for how to talk about ending the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage.
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NEWS:
Expanded partnership rights headed for governor’s desk
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.
Gay couples win new rights in bill
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.
WA State House Passes DP Bill
"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."
For My Wife
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.
Add your voice to the chorus calling for equality and dignity
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.
EDITORIAL: First comes partnership, then comes marriage
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."
Same-sex couples register vows in Olympia
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."
Domestic partners line up for rights with reservations
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.
WA woman shares tale of denial at bedside of her dying partner
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.
BLOG: Surging past WA on gay rights: CA, MA, OR... and Colombia?
The Stranger's Blog
June 16, 2007
Dan Savage writes, "The Washington State domestic partnership law includes the right to inherit property in the absence of a will but it does not mandate health insurance coverage for DPs or social security benefits (which are, unfortunately, in the hands of the feds). Still, if they're passing laws in Colombia—Colombia!—that go farther than Washington's DP law, we can and should do better, and demand more, during the next legislative session."
Freedom to Marry Voice of Equality shares message of equality, activism
The Daily Evergreen
March 5, 2007
Dolores Huerta's speech at Pullman University touched on a variety of issues — including women's roles, racism, social injustice, immigration and marriage equality. "Once we know, we have to act on our knowledge. Nothing is going to change unless we change it." Huerta said, encouraging students to take attainable steps toward change, such as calling out people who use degrading terminology, organizing in groups to support causes, and writing letters to legislators.
Actress Kate Fleming's death underscores why marriage matters
Washington Blade
January 19, 2007
If she and Charlene Strong, were wed in a commitment ceremony nearly nine years ago had been legal spouses, the decisions that came next would have been made quickly, albeit painfully. But Strong was initially denied the right to visit Fleming in the hospital as she lay dying. When asked what relationship she had to Fleming, Strong told the truth, unwilling to lie and say they were sisters.
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MULTIMEDIA:
...for my wife
After facing tragedy and humiliation in the aftermath of losing her wife of nine years, Charlene Strong has found her voice as a champion for marriage equality.
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After facing tragedy and humiliation in the aftermath of losing her wife of nine years, Charlene Strong found her voice as a champion for marriage equality.
Equal Rights Washington offers talking points for how to talk about ending the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Washington.
