On May 18, Governor Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5688, a law ensuring that all Washington families are treated the same, with the same protections, the same rights and the same obligations as their neighbors. Under this law, registered domestic partners (same-sex couples and opposite sex couples with at least one partner over age 62), and married couples, are treated equally under the law in all parts of the state.

Key protections and obligations in the law include death benefits for the partners of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty; pension benefits for the partners of teachers, librarians and other public employees; the right to use sick leave to care for a gravely ill partner, and the right to adopt a partner’s child without paying for a home study.

These rights and obligations for domestic partners were passed following those adopted in 2007, when the Legislature established a domestic partnership registry and granted registered couples rights to make health care decisions for a sick partner, to visit a partner in the hospital, the right to consent to an autopsy, and some property rights; and those adopted in 2008, including community property rights, probate rights, joint responsibility for debts, and other protections.

A group has filed a referendum – Referendum 71 – to try to repeal the law. Ref. 71 voters will be asked to approve or reject the domestic partnership law. To keep the law we will need to VOTE APPROVE on 71.

So many people have asked how they can help, that we formed a coordinated campaign to help keep the law from being repealed. It’s called Washington Families Standing Together – the Approve 71 campaign – a coalition of community partners committed to working together to protect Washington’s families.

See the more than 175 organizations in the coalition.

See the clergy and faith-based organizations.

By voting to Approve Referendum 71, you will vote to ensure that all families should be treated fairly, especially in times of crisis.

PROTECT ALL FAMILIES EQUALLY UNDER THE LAW
VOTE APPROVE ON REF 71