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About 1,500 Washingtonians rallied and marched in Seattle today (left) in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Washington D.C. (right) and all points in between. Local rally participants reaffirmed their dedication to crossing the many legal frontiers yet awaiting the LGBT and allied communities, the most immediate and urgent of which is the Approve Referendum 71 challenge to preserve Washington’s domestic partnership law. It was wonderful to see the Approve Ref. 71 signs everywhere.
Washington state domestic partners are about to lose 250 rights already granted by the legislature, and Mainers are about to lose the right to marry. So what’s next for participants in either Washington? As Joe says,
With all the energy and excitement generated from a successful event in DC [and Seattle!], I hope that those who attended the march will both be inspired to work at the national level and the state level. We have so much to do here at home in the next couple of weeks to Approve Referendum 71 that no one should assume they can’t be of use.
The marches were a great warm-up. Now let’s narrow our focus quickly on WA and ME and dig into the final weeks of these campaigns and make equality stick where it has a toe-hold. We have the means and the person power, I’m convinced.
Phone banks are running every day throughout the state to get out the vote. You can even sign up to phone bank from the comfort of your home.Outreach events are also scheduled throughout the state. Visit the Approve 71 website to learn more.
Ballots will arrive in mailboxes this week. Please sign up to volunteer and remind your friends to vote. Inaction is inexcusable…the polls are too close for my comfort. So take this energy and use it to win. All hands on deck!
And don’t forget to donate to help keep this wonderful ad on the air!
Jane: Pete-e and I have been together for 32 years. We were both in nursing, and Pete-e served in the Korean War.
We raised a daughter together, and she and her husband have given us two beautiful grandchildren.
Now that we are getting older, we need to be able to take care of each other, especially if one of us is ill.
Voiceover: Don’t take away protections for committed couples like family medical leave or extending health insurance coverage to a partner. Vote to approve Referendum 71.
Jane: For all Washington families.
Voiceover: Paid for by Washington Families Standing Together.
8 Comments
I really wish I could have made itbut my wife is still recovering from surgery. I was with everyone in spirit!
I should make a journal with all the pics I tookI made it to Seattle for the rally today and it was such a blast! I loved the speakers–they picked a good bunch.
Depending on the time the last picture (the panoramic shot at the courthouse) was taken I was between five and ten feet left of the left side of the picture. If it was taken after 5:00 I had left already because I needed to get some food before we got back on the road for our lovely two hour drive north.
best to your wifefor a swift recovery!
do!or if you don’t have time for that, post a few of your favorites in the comments section here. this is one of my favorites – these are the baristas at Vivaci giving the marchers a lot of love. similar reactions along the route, including a woman ringing hand bells.
Just shared on Facebookwith title of “Fight-fight-fight for Washington State”!
Hey, I know my humor is dumb but it gets forlks to pay attention!!
Great job, Lurleen.
Your humoralso keeps me going. thank you Louise!
and while we fightand pat ourselves on the back, let’s not forget what we’re up against:
http://www.chronline.com/artic…
absolutely. marching is *not* enoughwe have some seriously nasty opponents, and they have a lot of support among likely voters in this off-year election. they also have the renewed support of the roman catholic archdiocese as of last week.
people need to talk to everyone they know and impress upon them the fact that 12,000 domestic partners are about to lose 250 rights granted them by the legislature. to retain those rights, people must inform friends, family and co-workers and VOTE. and volunteer. and VOTE. and donate. and VOTE. and talk and talk and talk. and VOTE. and create visibility for the campaign. oh yes, and VOTE.