More talking points:

Gay and lesbian couples have children. In Washington state domestic partnerships are an important way for children of gay and lesbian couples to have the legal rights the children of married couples take for granted.

The domestic partnership registry system provides gay and lesbian couples all the rights and responsibilities of marriage under State law, but none of the federal protections of marriage like social security survivor's benefits,  Veterans’ benefits, equal treatment under the IRS tax code and immigration rights.

Gay or straight, we all care about the health of children. It’s important we get the facts, not simply accept the fears of some as truths. The children of gay and lesbian couples grow up to be just as happy and well adjusted as children raised by other couples.  

An overwhelming majority of Washington voters believe gay and lesbian couples and their children should have the legal protections married couples enjoy (Source University of Washington: Washington Poll)

Gay and lesbian people pay the same taxes; their families should be entitled to the same legal protections, rights and responsibilities as any other taxpayer.

Religious liberty is one of the most important protections all Americans and Washingtonians enjoy. Neither domestic partnerships nor marriage equality infringe on religious liberty.  Just as they can today, faith traditions will always be able to decide for themselves what families they religiously recognize.  

Every faith tradition has the right to decide for itself who it will marry and who it will not. Today many faith traditions including the United Church of Christ, Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalists and many Quaker Communities religiously marry gay and lesbian couples.

Marriage is Marriage. It is a unique institution that is understood around the world and operates at both the legal and social level.  Domestic partnerships neither provide legal equality nor the dignity gay and lesbian couples deserve.

Marriage equality is an affirmation of the values of love commitment and mutual concern.  If we wish to strengthen the institution of marriage then we should allow committed gay and lesbian couples to protect their relationship through marriage. Legal marriage should encourage stability in gay and lesbian couples just as it is intended to promote stability in straight couples.

Domestic partnerships will not inevitably lead to marriage equality. Massachusetts the first state to legalize marriage equality never had domestic partnerships. What will inevitably lead to marriage equality is an honest conversation about the lives of Washington families and the important role marriage plays in providing family stability.

Today many states and countries have marriage equality including Iowa, Vermont, Connecticut, Canada, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and South Africa.  

Neither domestic partnership laws nor marriage equality laws require the teaching of gay marriage or families in schools.  However, gay families are a simple reality of life and it makes commons sense that students learn about the diversity they will encounter, and all students should expect to see their families represented in curriculum.  Imagine curriculum that did not acknowledge the existence of Jewish, Black, or blended families.