Governor Gregoire Signs Domestic Partnership Bill Into Law (As Written)

April 21, 2007

Thank you, Representative McDermott. And thank you all for coming to the Capitol on a Saturday morning for the signing of this important legislation.

This is a proud moment for me as Governor and an important step forward for our state.

Too often, we hear stories of couples being denied basic rights at tragic moments in their lives.

We all heard the very moving testimony of Charlene Strong earlier this session who lost her life partner in the devastating storms last December.

After her partner, Kate Fleming, had been pulled out of their flooded basement in Seattle and taken by ambulance to Harborview Medical Center, Charlene was barred from entering Kate�s hospital room because of her lack of legal rights.

She was left to scramble for permission from Kate�s legal next-of-kin in order to simply sit with Kate during her last moments of life.

And later, the Funeral Director would not even acknowledge Charlene or her loss, directing all conversation to Kate's mother � but accepted Charlene's credit card to pay the bill.

John McCluskey and Rudy Henry of Tacoma have been partners for 48 years. In 1985, John was at work when he began having severe chest pains.

His partner, Rudy, then took him to Port Clinic where he was later transported to Tacoma General Hospital.

Rudy wasn�t allowed to ride in the ambulance with John and wasn�t even told what hospital John was being taken to.

Rudy followed the ambulance but was denied access to John�s room and refused information about John�s condition because he was not a legally recognized family member.

John remained in the hospital for much of the day while Rudy waited without information until John walked out of the hospital on his own two feet.

Last August, Rudy had a stroke.

This time when John and Rudy went to the hospital, they were fortunate to not have a repeat experience like the one in 1985 � but it was merely the kindness of the hospital staff that enabled John to be at Rudy�s side.

Marge and Diane Ballantz of Spokane have been partners for nearly 30 years and have two children.

In 1980, their then-six-year old son, John, suffered a broken thumb and lacerated hand while riding his bike down a hill. Diane was at work and Marge was at home and took him to the hospital.

Upon arrival at the hospital the health care providers refused to treat her son because she was not his biological mother.

Marge then called Diane who rushed to the hospital. Only then would the hospital staff treat their son, John.

No one should experience this in Washington state.

This legislation would ensure that same-sex couples and couples over age 62 who register with the state are granted a few basic rights including:

  • The right to visit one�s partner in the hospital;
  • The right to provide informed consent for a partner who is not competent;
  • The right to inherit a partner�s property without a will; and
  • The right to make funeral arrangements.


It is difficult enough to make decisions that affect life and death.

This simply allows seniors and same sex partners to rely on each other and care for each other when they are faced with life and death decisions.

These are rights that all people in a committed relationship deserve.

Last year, after 29 years of unwavering advocacy from many in this room and some who are no longer with us, it was a distinct honor for me to sign into law the Anderson-Murray Anti-Discrimination bill in this very room.

This new law will establish some of the rights and responsibilities that same-sex couples and many of our state�s families need.

I want to thank Senator Murray and Representatives McDermott, Moeller, Upthegrove and Pedersen for their dedicated leadership on this important issue as well as the many couples who have shown us why we need this legislation.

And with that, I�ll go ahead and sign the bill.

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