March 2007

by Janet Blanding

Domestic partnership looks almost certain to become a reality for same-sex couples in Washington state in the near future. House Bill 1351 and Senate Bill 5336 are both out of committee and have so many co-sponsors that only a few more votes will be needed for the bills to pass. When passed and implemented, a state domestic partnership registry will be created, which will provide registered couples with enhanced rights. Both same-sex couples, and couples where at least one partner is over 62, will be eligible to register as domestic partnerships. While a state registered . . .

March 2007

[Representative Brendan Williams of the 22nd District is a co-sponsor of House Bill 1351 which would protect individuals in domestic partnerships by granting certain rights and benefits. He has sent the following to constituents who email him in support of the bill:]

I am a co-sponsor of this bill. We just had a house Judiciary hearing on it January 31. Far-right lobbyist Bob Higley, a friend of Kevin Stormans (who owns Bayview and Ralph's Thriftway), railed against the 'homosexual agenda' in the most hateful language of the hearing. Higley is involved with Stormans in the far-right Daniel's . . .