We’ll continue to be patient for what we want

Not all same-sex couples enjoyed what happened when Referendum 71 passed, as Ryan Blethen believes [“R-71: State’s strategy for equality is working,” Opinion, editorial staff column, Nov. 8].

Blethen suggested all should applaud Sen. Ed Murray’s decision to create a segregated registry for same-sex couples and different-sex couples with at least one member at the age of 62, because this was a patient step toward equality.

We disagree.

Some same-sex couples may tolerate the segregation inherent in the state’s domestic-partnership laws because registration with the state now brings material benefits. But some same-sex couples will not register, and will continue to work — and wait — for the day when laws do not exclude us from choosing a marriage license, do not give us benefits only if we tolerate our own segregation, and do not insist that unmarried couples under 62 deserve fewer choices than those over 62.

Pursuing equality is indeed tough, and takes tremendous effort and patience. But our methodical route differs from Murray’s.

We refuse to register, and we continue to work for gender-neutral marriage laws and age-neutral partnership laws that truly provide identical choices and fairness for all families.

We’re patiently focused on the pursuit of equality for everyone.

— Suzanne Klinger and Beth Kraig, Gig Harbor