Archive Version of
Partners Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Couples
Online from 1995-2022

Demian and Steve Bryant originally founded Partners as a monthly newsletter in 1986. By late 1990 it was reformatted into a bi-monthly magazine. Print publication was halted by 1995 when Demian published Partners as a Web site, which greatly expanded readership.

In 1988, the Partners National Survey of Lesbian & Gay Couples report was published; the first major U.S. survey on same-sex couples in a decade.

In 1996, Demian produced The Right to Marry, a video documentary based on the dire need for equality that was made clear by the data from the survey mentioned above. The video featured interviews with Rev. Mel White, Evan Wolfson, Phyllis Burke, Richard Mohr, Kevin Cathcart, Faygele benMiriam, Benjamin Cable-McCarthy, Susan Reardon, Frances Fuchs, Tina Podlodowski, and Chelle Mileur.

Demian has been the sole operator during the last two decades of Partners.

Demian stopped work on Partners Task Force in order to realize his other time-consuming projects, which include publishing the book “Operating Manual for Same-Sex Couples: Navigating the rules, rites & rights” - which is now available on Amazon. The book is based on the Partners Survey mentioned above, his interviews of scores of couples, and 36 years of writing hundreds of articles about same-sex couples. It’s also been informed by his personal experience in a 20-year, same-sex relationship.

Demian’s other project is to publish his “Photo Stories by Demian” books based on his more than six decades as a photographer and writer.


Partners Task Force for Gay & Lesbian Couples
Demian, director    206-935-1206    demian@buddybuddy.com    Seattle, WA    Founded 1986

Menu
Notable Events Legal Marriage Essays Legal Marriage Data Ceremonial Marriage Domestic Partnership
Legal Necessities Relationship Tips Immigration Couples Chronicles Parenting
Inspiration Orientation Basics Surveys Resource Lists Citation Information
Welcome (About) Your Host Copyright Policy Link Policies Search Site

Washington’s Chance to Make History
by Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire
July 22, 2012


This fall we have the chance to make history. But like all things historic, it won’t be easy.

On November 6, Washington has the opportunity to become the first state in the nation whose voters pass a marriage equality bill at the ballot box. I’m doing everything I can to ensure we are leading the way. I hope you are too.

Signing the marriage equality bill this spring was one of the proudest days of my life. The love, joy, and excitement in that room were electric. For the first time our LGBT Washingtonians had, within their reach, the right to marry. Now, with the issue before voters, that momentum must be maintained.

We cannot say to one couple that their love is deserving of marriage and to another that their love should only be called a partnership. “Separate but equal” is never equal. Children of same-sex couples should not grow up wondering why their family is treated differently from other families.

Parents who have fought fiercely for the rights of their much-loved Gay and Lesbian children should not have to worry that their children will be treated differently. As a mother, I can tell you that there is no prouder moment than watching your children grow up, fall in love, and commit to that love in front of their families and friends. I want that same joy for every parent and every child.

The time to make history is now! In Olympia, passing the marriage equality bill was historic. The bill passed with a resounding “Yes” that was achieved only with bipartisan support. Republicans and Democrats both stood up for what is right. Leaders from both parties, Gay and straight, made heartfelt, eloquent speeches conveying that marriage equality is not a partisan value, but a human value.

That same question will now be asked of voters.

Like laws in other states, our legislation gives broad protections for religious organizations, and for religiously affiliated schools and social service organizations. While no religion will be required to perform a marriage against its beliefs, the state will no longer discriminate in the issuing of marriage licenses.

Stories abound of everyday citizens who give to their communities, support one another in their relationships, care for aging parents, raise healthy families, and save for their children’s future.

A young man, who as a high school senior has already earned an associate degree in computer science, e-mailed me that his biggest obstacle in life is not his passion or intellect. It is his sexuality. As he so thoughtfully wrote, “One day, as this nation continues to change, people like me will not have to be extraordinary to appear ordinary.”

That’s as it should be. At a time when our families face many challenges – keeping a job, paying the bills, saving for their children’s education – worrying about whom you can legally marry should not be one of them. Marriage is important to everyone.

But in the end it’s about much more than a piece of legislation. It is about telling couples, some of whom have been together 20 or 30 years or more, that a lifetime commitment matters. That their love matters. That their families matter.

It is time. It is time to make Washington the first state where the voters say “Yes” to equality and “Yes” to our families and friends.


This article first appeared in the Seattle Gay News, June 22, 2012
Reprinted with permission.

Return to: Partners: Table of Contents

© 2022, Demian
None of the pages on this Web site may be reproduced by any form of reproduction without
permission from Partners, with the exception of copies for personal, student, and
non-commercial use. Please do not copy this article to any Web site.
Links to this page are welcome.