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On December 4th, 2007, the Pierce County Council took an important step toward full equality for the LGBT Community in Washington State by approving Ordinance No. 2007-108. This ordinance allows umarried county employees to obtain benefits for their same-sex or heterosexual partners and offers immediate protection to many families in Pierce County.

The Pierce County Domestic Partner Ordinance has just enjoyed a second victory. When a small group of ultra-conservative activists attempted to gather enough signatures to put a ballot initiative to overturn this ordinance before voters in November, the citizens of Pierce County refused to be conned by this mean-spirited action. The petition drive failed to turn in the 25,361 signatures necessary to qualify the measure for the ballot.

Please take a moment to thank the four council members who voted for the ordinance--Tim Farrell, Barbara Gelman, Calvin Goings, and Shawn Bunney--so that they know that the citizens of Pierce County stand with them in their commitment to protecting families. Pierce County has proven itself a good place to work and can now better attract the best and most capable employees.

Thanks for all that you do!

Josh Friedes

Advocacy Director, Equal Rights Washington