Washington Families Standing Together

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 over age 62), and married couples, are treated equally under the law in all parts of the state.

Key rights 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 and other public employees; victims' rights, including the right to receive notifications and benefits allowances; 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, visit a partner in the hospital, and consent to an autopsy, along with some property rights. In 2008, registered couples gained 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. They have until July 25 to collect 120,577 signatures to get it on the ballot. We - and many, many people across the state - worked together to get this law passed. We are now working together to keep it from being repealed.

As was the case in 2006, strategic, early action may help avoid yet another costly campaign battle, which is especially important with all of the needs facing our citizens in these tough economic times.

So many people have asked how they can help, that a coordinated campaign has formed to help keep the law from being repealed.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

Please visit their website to find out more about WFST and how you can help. You can start by signing the 'decline to sign' petition!