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 FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 6:40 am |
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Local News 
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Partners rejoice as 'everything but marriage' law takes effect On Thursday, it will be 30 days since Election Day. Big deal, you say? It is a big deal.As John Marsh, Bob Teichman, Dee Peterson and others planning to celebrate outside the Snohomish County Courthouse know, the state's new domestic partnership law takes effect Thursday. Voters approved it last month by deciding the fate of Referendum 71, which was placed on the ballot by those opposed to expanded rights for state-registered domestic partners. Seen as a direct vote on gay rights, R-71 bucked a national trend. Maine voters on Nov. 3 repealed a same-sex marriage law. In 2008, voters in California, Arizona and Florida eliminated the right of gay couples to marry or approved marriage-protection measures. In Washington, R-71 passed by a margin of 53.1 percent to 46.9 percent. In Snohomish County, the gay-rights victory was slimmer, 51.2 percent to 48.8 percent. People who have waited a long time for rights many couples take for granted will gather at noon Thursday on the north side of the courthouse to celebrate and express gratitude. Some will carry signs, said John Marsh, who for 38 years has shared his life with Bob Teichman. “The signs will be saying thank you to the voters who supported Referendum 71,” said Marsh, 65. He and Teichman, 80, live at Tulalip. Both are involved in the Snohomish County Gay Men's Task Force, which works with the Snohomish Health District offering support, information and friendship to those in the local gay community. “We'll see who shows up,” said Marsh, who sent out word of Thursday's event to Everett Community College and the organization Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Marsh was happily surprised by the election results. “I expected it to be voted down,” he said. Back in July 2007, he and Teichman were among the state's first couples to legally register as domestic partners. Under laws passed by the Legislature in 2007, domestic partners were granted rights including hospital visitation and access to health care information; the administration of a deceased partner's estate and recognition on a partner's death certificate; the ability to sue for wrongful death of a partner; and the right to inherit property and administer the partner's estate in the absence of a will. In 2008, the Legislature passed a law further expanding the rights and responsibilities for domestic partners. The changes involve dissolutions, community property, taxes and other areas of the law. Opponents, through R-71, campaigned to block the law that some called “everything but marriage.” According to the state Constitution, a bill referred to voters and approved takes effect 30 days after Election Day — that's Thursday. Dee Peterson, 68, will be outside the courthouse. Her partner, 61-year-old Meg Curnutt, won't be able to join Peterson for the celebration because of a death in her family. The women, Tulalip neighbors of Teichman and Marsh, have been together 32 years. Peterson is pleased by the outcome of R-71, but said the country has a ways to go to achieve equality. “For income tax purposes, we can't take advantage of joint filing. To me, that's a very big deal,” she said. Compared to the past, when they sometimes lived in fear and secrecy, both couples see real, positive change, both legally and in others' attitudes. “We do a lot of traveling around the world,” said Peterson. She's encouraged by the acceptance she and her partner experience, particularly among young people. Marsh, a retired teacher, said it wasn't so long ago that he could have been fired for being gay. At Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Marysville, the Rev. Bruce Davis also sees cause to celebrate. He isn't gay, but has performed many commitment ceremonies. He also has a gay son. Before the election, he sent letters to area newspapers supporting the domestic partnership law. Davis wrote that his congregation stands on two principles: “our affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every person” and “justice, equity and compassion in all human relations.” Those are powerful words, worth celebrating. Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460, muhlstein@heraldnet.com. |
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First, THANK YOU to Julie for her continual wonderful reporting.
How can we, as a free society, continue to deny couples like Mr. Marsh & Mr. Teichman and Ms. Peterson & Ms. Curnutt the right to marry? It makes no sense to me. They are responsible tax paying adults who are obviously in a committed relationship yet are not able to be recognized by the state of Washington. WHY? What business is it of anyone's what someone's sexual orientation is?
I apologize if this is offensive but it appears to me that only uneducated and ignorant persons seem to be in favor of NOT giving equal rights to all adults. Religion has NOTHING to do with this as we are a free society to believe in any religion we choose. When religious zealots tried to run this country people were burned at the stake. If you are against gay marriage then simply don't have one,
I am proud of religious leaders in the community such as Rev. Bruce Davis who stand up for civil rights. I know there are other religions who support gay marriage and wish that they, too, would stand up and speak out.
I have faith in our children that soon these laws will change and marriage will be open to everyone. But, in my opinion, that time can't come soon enough.
I wish Mr. Marsh and Mr. Teichman and Ms. Peterson and Ms. Curnutt all the best!
cynthia worthen | Dec 2, 2009 9:14 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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This is either high comedy or gutter humor.
Veritas Splendor | Dec 2, 2009 5:25 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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