Same-sex marriage (SSM) & domestic partnerships

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Activity in Washington State

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Brief summary:

In 2004, two lawsuits were launched by a total of 17 same-sex couples to legalize same-sex marriage (SSM) via the courts. They were unsuccessful.

In 2007, a domestic partnership bill was passed that allowed same-sex couples to register their relationship and receive a limited number of benefits and protections for themselves and their children. During subsequent years, additional benefits and protections were added.

In 2009, an "everything but marriage" bill was passed giving domestic partnerships all of the state rights of marriage except what is ovten considered the most important right: to be able to call their relationship a marriage.

In 2012, the legislature passed a same-sex marriage bill, and the governor signed it into law. Religious and social conservatives mounted a referendum for election day in 2012-NOV in an attempt to repeal the law.

On election day, 2012-NOV-06, the referendum was defeated. Washington's mail-in voting system will delay the final vote probably until the end of the week of NOV-04. However, early results indicated a narrow win for SSM similar to those in Maine and Maryland which took place on the same day.

A more detailed timeline is available.

Topics covered in this section:

	Quotes and a timeline, including a summary of polling data, leading up to Referendum R-74 on 2012-NOV-06
	More quotations, overview, King County Lawsuit
	King County Lawsuit (Cont'd)
	Thurston County lawsuit
	Ruling of the Washington Supreme Court
	2007: Legislative activity to create domestic partnerships
	2008-2009: Legislative activity to enhance domestic partnerships
	2009: Referendum 71 launched: an attempt to veto domestic partnership law
	2006-2009 public opinion polls on same-sex marriage & domestic partnerships
	2009-NOV: Vote on Referendum 71: Overview Groups supporting and opposing R-71 Part 1   Part 2 Polls on R-71
	2011 to 2012: Efforts by the state legislature to make same-sex marriage available in Washington: Background. Past redefinitions of marriage. Could a SSM law survive a referendum? 2011-OCT: State public opinion poll on SSM. Reactions by readers of The Seattle Times 2011-NOV: SSM campaign begins. Seattle Times newspaper supports SSM 2012-JAN: Public support for SSM. Referendum planned. First GOP senator supports SSM bill 2012-JAN: Catholic Church attacks SSM bill. Bill introduced into the State Senate 2012-JAN: Senator Jim Kastama (D) commits to voting for the SSM bill. Six large companies support bill 2012-JAN: Archbishop Sartain of Seattle opposes bill. Senate and House hearings 2012-JAN: Enough legislators support bill. NOM promises referendum if bill becomes law 2012-JAN/FEB: Path forward for SSM. Conflicting beliefs by Kirkland pastor & legislators 2012-FEB-01: Senate passes bill 2012-FEB-03: Either a referendum or initiative is planned to repeal SSM law. Boycotts planned. House committee passes bill 2012-FEB: House passes bill. Bill is signed into law. Anti-SSM referendum on 2012-NOV ballot 2012-MAR to now: Referendum title/wording changed. Referendum certain to be on the 2012-NOV ballot 2012-MAY/JUN: Polling data. Conservative Christian & Muslim cooperation. Referendum to be held on NOV-06 2012-JUN/JUL/AUG/SEP: More polling data. Duplicate votes prevented. Donations. TV ads planned 2012-SEP: Opposition from Preserve Marriage Washington 2012-SEP: Roman Catholic split: Hierarchy opposes SSM; Laity and former Catholic priests back SSM 2012-OCT: First anti-SSM TV ads aired. Current status and activity 2012-OCT/NOV: Rep Walsh (R) video goes viral. Voter guide's arguments for/against R-84 and SSM 2012-OCT/NOV: President supports R-74. Poll shows anti-SSM fear-based ads effective. Ballots are counted 2012-NOV: Referendum R-74 passes; SSM legalized! 2012-NOV: More reactions. 2012-DEC: Marriage licenses issued. Marriages follow Inside a "scary, society-destroying family" led by parents of the same sex

References used:

The following information source was used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlink is not necessarily still active today.

1. Joni Balter, "Ballot measures hovering around 50 percent — way too close to call," Seattle Times, 2012-SEP-17, at: http://blogs.seattletimes.com/
2. "Gay marriage, marijuana well ahead in poll," Seattle PI, 2012-OCT-05, at: http://blog.seattlepi.com/
3. "Wash. gay marriage law to be decided by voters," NECM.com, 2012-OCT-13, at: http://www.necn.com/

Copyright © 2004 to 2012 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2004-SEP-12
Latest update: 2012-DEC-07
Author: B.A. Robinson

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