Equality in Washington

The Washington state Senate has voted to recognize all legal partnerships, including civil unions and marriages, from other jurisdictions.  The bill now goes to Gov. Gregoire, who has promised to sign it.  Washington joins Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland in passing similar laws.  Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.  Hawaii, Illinois, and New Jersey have civil unions while California, Oregon, Washington, Maine, Nevada, and Wisconsin have domestic partnerships.  That's seventeen states plus DC that provide legal recognition of our relationships.     

Microsoft Donates $100,000 to Gay Rights in Washington

Microsoft has donated $100,000 to the campaign to pass Referendum 71, the proposition that would retain Washington's "everything but marriage" domestic partner law. As the Slog said, this took guts and the haters will be gunning for them.

Of course Microsoft wants R-71 to pass because they want to attract the best and brightest who are drawn to liberal communities. Gay rights are good for business.