matinae’s blog

DP Expansion Bill Passes Washington Senate

great news! the governor is expected to sign the paper money. here’s the scrutinize from match rights washington[late tuesday afternoon], the washington senate passed the 2008 domestic partnership bill, 29 yea-20 nay. this is yet another enormous step forward in our work to shelter lgbt families, while we continue the fight to secure full marriage analogy in washington state.

The bill now goes to the Governor for signing, having passed the House in February 62-32. The Governor, a longtime supporter of civil rights for all Washingtonians, has already indicated her support for this legislation. Our members like you have also sent her thousands of letters in support of the bill.

Please CONTRIBUTE to Equal rights Washington today to celebrate and continue our momentum towards true equality in Washington State.

The Domestic Partnership expansion bill adds more than 160 rights and responsibilities for registered domestic partners in Washington State. Over 3,700 couples have registered as domestic partners since July 23rd, 2007. This bill is creating important media and lobbying opportunities to help elected leaders and the public understand the problems facing LGBT individuals & families. Continued over the rainbow…

we should prefer to a lot to do to be met by the needs of our diverse community including:

Securing marriage equality Ensuring that transgender Washingtonians enjoy the same protections, rights and health care as others Making sure that LGBT youth have the right to a positive, safe learning environment Addressing the long term care and economic security issues facing older members of the LGBT community

And the list goes on.

I am confident we can do this. But if we are going to be able to pass major pieces of legislation such as the marriage bill and defeat attempts to repeal them at the ballot box, we are going to have to become a vibrant statewide organization with several offices in different regions of the state. Please give generously today!

Connie Watts Executive Director

P.S. We’ll be sending out e-mails asking people to thank their Senators who voted for the DP expansion bill. We hope you’ll help us in this work.

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