Washington

Relationship Recognition Information

Statewide Relationship Recognition
no Licenses marriages for same-sex couples.
no Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions.
yes Relationship recognition for same-sex couples: Domestic Partnerships.

A domestic partnership bill passed by the Legislature in 2007 establishes a statewide domestic partnership registry for (a) same-sex couples, and (b) different-sex couples where at least one partner is over the age of 62. The new law provides some limited but important harm reduction protections for registered domestic partners, though the protections are likely to expand significantly in future legislative sessions. Couples can begin registering with the State on July 23, 2007. See Lambda Legal's brochure about the domestic partnership law for more information and answers to common questions. The domestic partnership registration form can be found here.

Contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk if you have questions about registering as domestic partners with the State, including how to register, and whether it might be unwise for some couples to register as domestic partners.

  • 2000 May 23 - At urging of Governor Gary Locke, Public Employment Benefits Board decides state employees can obtain family health benefits on behalf of their same-sex domestic partners
  • 1998 Anti-marriage bill adopted. Senate Bill 5400, House Bill 1130 — For third consecutive year, anti-marriage bills introduced. With minimal debate or process, the bills passed both houses in one day, Feb. 6, and then went to Governor Gary Locke, who again vetoed the measure. Within hours, both houses, without debate, overrode the veto — an unprecedented course of events. The anti-marriage law takes effect in ninety days, without going to the voters for a referendum (the alternative some legislators sought to avoid). The law restricts marriage to different-sex couples, and discriminates against lawful marriages celebrated elsewhere. See Washington Code Revised § 26.04.010(1), § 26.04.020(1)(c) and § 26.04.020(3).
 

Employment Information

Statewide Employment Protections
yes Private employment protections based on sexual orientation.
yes Private employment protections based on gender identity.
yes Public (state) employment protections based on sexual orientation.
yes Public (state) employment protections based on gender identity.

In 2006, the State of Washington enacted a landmark law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. See Lambda Legal’s fact sheet about this law, which was created with assistance from Equal Rights Washington.

See RCW 49.60.010, RCW 49.60.030 (1), RCW 49.60.040 (15) and Executive Order 93-07 (9/27/93).

Parenting Information

Statewide Parenting Laws
Who May Adopt Any person. RCW §26.33.140
Second Parent Adoptions Approved in some lower courts

Cases

Andersen v. King County
Case seeking the right to marry for same-sex couples in Washington State

Cammermeyer v. Perry
Pioneering case arguing the reinstatement of Army and National Guard veteran after she was discharged because of her sexual orientation

deGroen v. City of Bellevue
Case arguing for equal employment benefits for partners of gay and lesbian employees as offered to heterosexual married employees

In re Shuffield
Case arguing for equal treatment of patients regardless of their sexual orientation.

Witt v. United States Department of the Air Force
(Amicus) Case arguing against the military's “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy

All Cases »

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