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.