Dear Editor,

This month, my partner and I celebrate 12 years as a couple.

We own a home together and have two beautiful daughters. We attend church every week. We are members of the PTA. We pay our taxes. (Unfortunately, state and federal laws require us to identify as “single.”)

I feel fortunate to live in Washington where at least we have some rights as domestic partners, but it’s still not enough. Our family deserves the same rights and recognition as our heterosexual neighbors. I want my kids to feel like their family belongs at the table.

This week, I rejoiced with the citizens of Iowa, Vermont, and DC as they gained marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. It’s my feverent hope that we will be able to soon have that same celebration for our state.

We are not asking for any special rights, just equal rights. Please join me in support of the 2009 domestic partnership expansion bill and marriage equality. All families deserve true equality under the law.

Elizabeth Bucklew
Seattle