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Referendum 71
The 2009 Washington Referendum 71 (R-71) legalized domestic partnership in Washington state, the first statewide referendum in the United States that extended to LGBT people the rights and responsibility of domestic partnership. The bill had passed State Legislature, and it was signed into law by the Governor in May 2009, but opponents gathered enough signatures to put the measure before the voters, who returned ballots by mail over three weeks ending on November 3, 2009, approving the measure 53% to 47%. The new law went into effect 30 days later, on December 3, 2009. Prior to this Washington state vote, a ban on same-sex marriages and civil unions, Arizona Proposition 107, was rejected by voters in that state in 2006, who two years later passed the civil-unions-neutral Arizona Proposition 102. History Senate Bill 5688 was signed by Governor Christine Gregoire on May 18, 2009. On July 25, 2009, the organization Protect Marriage Washington submitted petitions containing 137 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Domestic Partnership In Washington State
State Registered Domestic Partnerships (SRDP) in Washington were created in 2007 following the ''Andersen v. King County'' decision. Subsequent legislation has made an SRDP the equivalent of marriage under state law. As a result of the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state, from June 30, 2014, SRDP will be available only when at least one of the partners is sixty-two years of age or older. History of Washington Domestic Partnerships Beginnings In its ''Andersen v. King County'' decision, the Washington Supreme Court noted the Legislature was free to revisit any law it had previously enacted. Lacking sufficient votes to change the marriage laws, the Legislature worked to pass a domestic partnership law. After much debate, lawmakers approved a bill on April 10, 2007. conferring eleven of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples (when at least one of the individuals is over the age of 62). Governor Christine Gregoire signed the bill April 21, 20 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Equal Rights Washington
Equal Rights Washington (ERW) is Washington’s largest statewide LGBT advocacy and community outreach organization. ERW's mission is to ensure and promote dignity, safety, and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Washingtonians. Equal Rights Washington consists of three organizations: Equal Rights Washington, a 501(c)(4) organization which focuses on political advocacy, ERW Education + Engagement, a 501(c)(3) organization which focuses on public education with regard to LGBTQ issues in Washington, and ERW Political Action, a registered political action committee which exists to provide support to equality-minded candidates for elected office in Washington state. Each of these subsidiary organizations are headed by independent boards of directors, in accordance and compliance with state and federal law. History Many of ERW's founders and leaders made their entrance into the world of politics during the Hands Off Washington campaign between 1993 and 1997. ER ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rick Larsen
Richard Ray Larsen (born June 15, 1965) is an American politician and lobbyist serving as the United States House of Representatives, United States representative for since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, Larsen is a member of the United States House Committee on Armed Services, House Armed Services Committee and the United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Early life, education and career Larsen was born and raised in Arlington, Washington, and graduated from Arlington High School (Washington), Arlington High School. Throughout his childhood, he played youth soccer and was later a ball boy for the original Seattle Sounders (1974–1983), Seattle Sounders. Larsen attended Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Minnesota, earning a master's degree in public affairs. He formerly worked as director of public affairs for the Washington State Dental Ass ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
