Thank you all, if you want to follow me, please check in at http://www.charlenestrong.com and also I am co-editior @ The Seattle Lesbian. com Peace, Charlene

As with many states, our state is strapped and to introduce marriage for some may seem frivolous and not on the forefront of voters minds. Really, it is a name at this point. Marriage vs Domestic partnership. it really is the name we are working for right now.

To be a Human Rights Commissioner is amazing and a nice nod from our amazing Governor to continue to work with a passion for the citizens of Washington State and the vital need for equality for ALL citizens of our state. I feel very blessed and humbled.

You are right, I would love an invitation, if you know of anyone.

This is not a faith issue only Teddy, it is our issue as well. How many in our community know just how limiting the rights we are gaining are?

Full gay and lesbian marriage will not happen on a federal level without a push from our political organizations and our elected officals. Personally, I think we have it all wrong. If the federal Government took the explicit step to put DOMA in place, then there will be no federal movement on federal rights. I think it is a shell game at best. Go after your stat rights, but don’t look at what you are being denied federally.

Teddy, Federal employees who are married or domestic partners in “other states” can then participate in rights affored to married couples. It is not marriage, but an acknowledgment of unions. NO marriage in that state however.

I hate to sound negative, but a dear friend of mine just died and when it came to the disposition of her body her mother was called not her same sex spouse. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with this picture? I can… without marriage we lack the vital language of equality

Hey Ottgrendel, contact cinema librea or formywife.info to schedule that if you like, also I work with folks that can help get me to your university as well.

Legal documentation is at issue here, Tell me how many have the thought to put that paper work together and second why are we left to prove when so many are not asked for the same burden of proof?

Teddy, No longer true, President Obama on April 15th last year said that if anyone presents with “Legal Doucmentation” they could not be denied access to whomever is in a hospital.

six states offer any form of rights, keep in mind those rights mean little once a couple leaves that state. What also is lacking is the 600 plus federal rights non of us are afforded.

Demi, I do hear you and please pardon my light hearted response. Equality is not pretty or easy. I value all voices to see change… and for me personally it has no orientation, just discrimination

I second the bunny ears. It is a community wide effort without any sexual orientation.

It does not take an exclusive lesbian voice to work on our rights, it takes our communities voice.

Legal documents are one safety net with a limited and often over looked value. I ask you, in all honesty, how many committed gay couples have the legal documents ready for the asking and second why should LGBT folks be required to jump through hops we do not ask of Heterosexual couples.

Beth, we are fragmented, not everyone in the LGBT community feels marriage matters, it is not my desire it should be looked as an equality issue

Voting is the first step in changing rights and correcting the wrong headed laws in our country. I need support pure and simple, it’s not just writing a check it is becoming proactive in your community.

So here is a question to all of you, how do you see the scrutiny we are forced to live with changing, with this issue in CA?

Thank you Ottogrendel, it is from passion only