Approve Referedum 71 This Fall

On this fall’s election ballot is an important referendum you should know about – Referendum 71. Referendum 71 asks voters to “approve” or “reject” Washington’s domestic partnership statute. The statute gives rights and responsibilities to unmarried same-sex and opposite-sex couples. A significant number of Jewish community organizations, synagogues and leaders are supporting an approve vote including the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Jewish Family Service, Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. When your ballot arrives this fall, please vote "approve" on Referendum 71.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who in the Jewish community has endorsed the Approve Referendum 71 effort?

Numerous organizations and individuals have endorsed the Approve Referendum 71 campaign including: Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, National Council of Jewish Women, American Jewish Committee, Jewish Family Service, Hillel, Temple Beth Am, Temple Beth Or, Temple B’nai Torah, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Congregation Kol Ami, Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound, Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center and Kol HaNeshamah.

Many rabbis in our community have also endorsed the campaign, including: Rabbi Will Berkowitz, Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker, Rabbi Cindy Engler, Rabbi Allison Flash, Rabbi Seth Goldstein, Rabbi Bruce Kadden, Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg, Rabbi Anson Laytner, Rabbi Jessica Marshall, Rabbi Jim Mirel, Rabbi Daniel Septimus, Cantor David Serkin-Poole, Rabbi Beth Singer, Rabbi Jonathan Singer, Rabbi Daniel Wiener, Rabbi Jill Borodin and Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum.

What is the Domestic Partnership law?

SB 5688 was passed by the legislature in 2009 to ensure that all Washington families are treated in the same way. Under this law, registered domestic partners – defined as same-sex couples, or opposite-sex couples where at least one partner is over the age of 62 – and married couples are treated equally.

What rights and obligations are included in the Domestic Partnership law?

Some of the rights and obligations under the law include:

• Death benefits for the partners of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
• Pension benefits for partners of teachers and other public employees.
• The right to use sick leave for a seriously ill partners
• The right to worker’s compensation benefits if a partner is killed in the course of employment.

Is the Domestic Partnership law marriage?

No. In fact, Washington State law restricts marriage to one man and one woman.

How can I help?

You can attend a special screening of “Oy Vey! My Son is Gay,” and ask your friends and neighbors to vote “approve” on Referendum 71. You can also direct your friends to this page so they can learn more about Referendum 71, what it is, and what it isn’t.