November 14th proclaimed "Victory, Referendum 71 Approved Day"

by: Lurleen

Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 22:17:12 PM EST

Whereas, civil rights and liberties have long been values of the City of Seattle; and

Whereas, the Seattle City Council recognized the importance of extended domestic partnership laws by endorsing the Approve Referendum 71 Campaign; and

Whereas, equality for all Seattle families has a lasting, powerful effect on the city; and

Whereas, the LGBT community is an important and integral part of what makes the City of Seattle a vibrant place to live, work, and play; and

Whereas, the historic vote to approve Referendum 71 sends a message to the rest of the country that the rights and responsibilities afforded to heterosexual married couples are now available to same-sex domestic partners registered with Washington State, and provides important protections to all Washington families; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DECLARES NOVEMBER 14, 2009 TO BE VICTORY, REFERENDUM 71 APPROVED DAY IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE.

Approve 71 Thank You Rally, Saturday at Westlake Center

A group of students, volunteers, and community members have organized an Approve 71 Thank You Rally in celebration of  the November 3 victory for all Washington families. The event is on Saturday, November 14, from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM, at Westlake Center Park in Seattle.

Anne Levison and Josh Friedes will speak on behalf of the Approve 71 Campaign. Lt. Dan Choi will give a keynote address, followed by other respected members of the community.

The community is eager to thank fair minded Washington voters and volunteers for their outpouring of support during the unusually short six week campaign.

Hundreds of volunteers called hundreds of thousands of voters at phone banks. They organized fundraisers, sign waving visibility events, house parties and more.

Because of this dedication to equality, Washington State made history on November 3. It was the first state  to ever approve an expansion of LGBT equality at the ballot.

The domestic partnership expansion bill will go into effect on December 3, 2009. Once it does, same-sex couples will have access to all the same state rights and responsibilities as married couples.