Support Referendum 71: Preserve Washington’s Domestic Partnership Law
October 15th, 2009
This blog article is a personal one, and since I don’t have a personal blog, I’m writing it here, in the hopes that some of my readers are in Washington state and don’t know about Ref 71 that’s on this November’s ballot. For those of you outside Washington state who enjoy reading my blog, I’d appreciate you considering making a donation to help this referendum pass, as it directly impacts my family.
My partner and I are registered domestic partners in Washington. This gives us all kinds of rights that will generally only be needed if something bad happens, like one of us ends up in the hospital. If, heaven forbid, that happened, I would be treated as her “family”, and she as mine, and we would be able to get access and care for each other. There are many other “benefits”, all of which, honestly, I hope we never have the occasion to use, but knowing that we are registered gives me great comfort.
Bad things happen sometimes. Kate Fleming was a lesbian in a long term relationship in Seattle who was killed by a bizarre flood. Her surviving partner, Charlene Strong, was denied the ability to see her in the hospital as she lay dying. Yes, it’s dramatic, but it’s the kind of story that keeps gay and lesbian couples awake at night.
With our current Domestic Partnership Law, I’d be allowed to see my partner under these circumstances. There are many folks who believe allowing domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples somehow impacts other marriages and perhaps civilization itself. I don’t see how this is rational. What I do know, is that this law impacts me, and my family in a very concrete way.
So if you’re in Washington, please vote FOR referendum 71, and if you’re outside Washington, any donation you can make would be appreciated.
Jill--------------
J. Olkoski
Aldebaran Web Design, Seattle
Jill Olkoski has a BS in Engineering, a BS in Computer Science and an MA in Clinical Psychology. She delights in using her advanced technical and psychological skills to help small business owners develop cost-effective and successful websites.
