Are you ready to win equality in Washington State, once and for all? If so, please join us in sponsoring Fighting for a Marriage Majority on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 5:30-7:30pm at the South Lake Union Discovery Center.
Fighting for the Majority began in 1998 after the Republican-controlled legislature overrode Governor Locke's veto and passed the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA). We raised money for House and Senate Democrats to put people who believe in equality in control of making our laws.
In the last 13 years, Fighting for the Majority has become the largest hard-money contributor to the House and Senate Democratic Campaign Committees. And the Democrats, led by champions such as Senator Ed Murray and Representatives Jim Moeller, Dave Upthegrove, Jamie Pedersen, Marko Liias, and Laurie Jinkins, have brought us steadily toward equal, fair treatment for LGBT people and their families. In the last ten years, we have won:
- A ban on discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and financial transactions that includes transgender people
- Domestic partnership protection for same-sex couples and their families covering all state law rights and obligations of marriage
- Full parentage rights for same-sex couples
- Comprehensive anti-bullying protection for LGBTQ students
- Increased penalties for hate crimes against LGBT people
Now we have come full circle. Our friends in Olympia are preparing to repeal the state's DOMA and win marriage equality for same-sex couples. This could happen just a few short months from now, and to help build momentum, we have renamed this year's event to be Fighting for a Marriage Majority. We know from the recent victory in New York that we can win equality at the legislative level - but that a critical part of winning is to make sure our legislators know that we will have their backs in the next election. This year's Fighting for a Marriage Majority event will do that, and it will also be an important way of making sure we can elect and retain legislators who support equality.
Here is how we need your help. If you believe in marriage equality, please contribute to the Fighting for a Marriage Majority event. Sponsorships start at $150/person and $300/couple, but please consider being even more generous. You can visit our donation page to make a contribution. Sponsorships received before September 20 will be recognized on the printed invitation to this year's event. To download a copy of the electronic invitation, please click here.
Thanks for your support. With it, we can win.
