Like a lot of Washingtonians, I was holding my breath hoping that Protect Marriage Washington wouldn’t gather enough signatures to put the new domestic partnership law up to a popular vote. But then on September 2^nd, the signature count was certified and so in November, those voters committed enough go to the polls on an off-year election will be asked to vote on whether to approve the domestic partnership law passed earlier this year by Washington’s legislature.

As someone who was born and raised in Washington (Olympia, to be specific, the state capital and home of some pretty amazing riot grrrl rock bands), I wanted to help out my home state on efforts to pass the referendum and keep domestic partnerships. Coordinating with the Approve Referendum 71 Campaign, I began a state-wide search for the domestic partners with the most compelling stories – stories that could educate voters about the important benefits and protections provided by domestic partnerships.

It’s hard not to be moved to support domestic partnerships when you hear Rose and Joe, a straight senior couple who live in the far northeast part of the state, talk about how their domestic partnership helps them cope with Rose’s medical issues. It’s hard to question the service gay and lesbian couples provide to our communities when you listen to Cindy and Janet talk about the six kids they adopted from foster care. And I challenge you not to cry when you hear Cathlin and her partner Avril speak about the uncertainties they face with Cathlin’s cancer treatments.

You can watch videos of more Washington couples here: http://approvereferendum71.org/r71-personal-stories/

If you have friends in Washington, please remind them to vote to Approve Referendum 71 on November 3^rd. And if you have a few bucks to spare, please take the opportunity to support the Approve Ref. 71 Campaign.

To learn more, visit Get Busy Get Equal.