Please support the DP bill

It's important that you ask your legislators to support the domestic partnership bill (DP bill). ERW is giving you an easy way to let your legislators know you support the domestic partnership bill.

The DP bill will provide basic protections to families such as automatic hospital visitation rights, right to inherit without a will, and right to make burial decisions for your domestic partner. 

Click here for more information. You can learn more about what protections the bill provides, public hearings and sponsors

If you're in a relationship and have a compelling story to tell about why domestic partnership benefits would help your family, please send an email to josh@equalrightswashington.org.

 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: I support the Domestic Partnership Bill

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Please support the domestic partnership bill SB 5336, HB 1351). This bill will provide some immediate protections for same-sex couples and couples in which one partner is at least 62 years old. This bill will offer protections when couples are at their most vulnerable: during times of sickness, incapacity, or death.

There is strong public support in Washington State for gay and lesbian couples to have basic rights, which would include: automatic hospital visitation; inheritance rights; and the right to make burial decisions.

The bill will help families that are currently in crisis, and give many more families some of the most basic rights others take for granted.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 25, 2007


Background Information

Today same-sex couples have almost no legal protections in Washington State. Equal Rights Washington, other organizations and many legislators and public officials are committed to working to secure full marriage equality for same-sex couples. While we work toward this goal it is important that we protect LGBT and other families as soon as possible. Rapid passage of the DP bill means that LGBT couples will be able to visit their partners in the hospital and inherit even if there is no will. The DP bill also extends the same protections to older unmarried couples where one partner is over 62.

Everyday we here of problems that arise because same-sex couples can not protect their families. The DP bill will provide immediate protections while we continue the struggle for full marriage equality. Passage of this bill is essential to protect families in crisis and give all LGBT families who register as domestic partners greater peace of mind.