Ref. 71 is a vote to keep the domestic partnership law that provides legal protections for lesbian and gay couples and seniors who are in committed relationships. To be able to take unpaid leave to care for a critically ill loved one, without being fired. To be able to cover a partner in family health insurance. To make sure hard-earned pension and death benefits protect children when a parent dies. Approving Ref. 71 ensures that important protections are not taken away from committed couples, so that they are able to take care of each other, especially in times of crisis.
- veo
Yep. If you don't approve it, I might not get married. IT'S THAT SERIOUS.
- joey
Or maybe you could get married in Massachusetts or Iowa?
- veo
Actually, once upon a time we discussed doing something like that. But I live here and I want my home state to support love.
- joey
Yeah, I understand that thinking. The really crazy thing about this is that we already had these rights, so we're just voting to KEEP them. Did you hear that a 9th district court judge ruled that the names of the petition signers should be released?
- veo
Yep. We've only recently had them, though. And actually our domestic partnership law is not just for gay couples but also for the heterosexual elderly so that they can have some of the rights of marriage without losing pension or SS benefits that deceased spouses paid into for years.
- joey
What I REALLY want is for us to vote to repeal the WA defense of marriage act. But this is a step.
- joey
Agreed, DOMA is a huge blemish. I really like the fact that WA domestic partnership really don't distinguish between gay/straight... it's more about committed relationships.. Be it non-married heterosexuals, homosexuals, elderly companions.. It's quite egalitarian.
- veo
Well, I wish it allowed heterosexuals of all ages, but oh well. I understand what they were trying to do with it and why it only applies to those age 65 or higher (or whatever it is).
- joey
But yes, DOMA makes me ashamed to live in Washington. Just about everything else makes me proud of my state and it's attention to civil liberties.
- joey
Something that totally baffles me is how CLOSE the polls have the ref 71 race though.It seems like it should be a slam dunk in my Western Washington/Seattle liberal bubble. I tend to forget that WA is a deeply divided state, both geographically and philosophically. I wish Idaho would annex Eastern Washington, heh.
- veo
Sadly unlikely to happen as between the industry of W. WA and the agriculture of E. WA we are one of the few self-sufficient states. I'm all in favor of splitting us though as each side has such violently different views on so many topics.
- Sparky, lurking
I don't want to split the state, I want to educate!
- joey
That was not meant to sound like a creepy chant. But polling data also shows that there is more support in a lot of areas for equal rights where there wasn't before.
- joey
That is a really good point, Joey. I suppose in the long run it is better to drag people into the 21st century rather then isolate and reinforce their misconceptions and negative attitudes.
- veo
Just a little reminder to mail in those ballots!
- veo
Remember, if you support domestic partners continuing to have these rights, you want to vote YES. Some folks are confused by the way it's phrased.
- amygeek
Exactly, Amy. REF 71 *KEEPS* the existing domestic partnership laws on the books. VOTE APPROVE.
- veo