QLaw: the GLBT Bar Association of Washington

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The QLaw Foundation is excited to join in a sponsorship with a variety of other organizations to educate same-sex couples in Washington about the upcoming auto-conversion to marriage on June 30, 2014.

In Washington State, same-sex couples were finally granted access to marriage as of December 6, 2012, and the first marriages were performed on December 9, 2012. Prior to marriage, same-sex couples were allowed to enter into State Registered Domestic Partnerships (SRDP) (if you are unsure if you are in an SRDP you can look it up on the Secretary of State's website). Couples in and SRDP were provided a buffer to time to determine whether they wanted their relationship to become a marriage. The buffer time expires on June 30, 2014. All couples where at least one member of the couple is 62 will remain in an SRDP unless they marry.

The QLaw Foundation, Legal Voice, Lambda Legal, the ACLU-WA, SOGILI, ERW, GSBA, Pride Foundation, LGTQ Community Foundation, Seattle LGBT Commission, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, Sage, and more have teamed up to make sure that couples are aware of the auto-conversion and the impact hat auto converting may have.

To that end, we have hosted and are hosting several panels/presentations throughout Washington. A link to the Seattle Channel recording of the Seattle presentation is available here.

Panels Throughout Washington

Thursday, May 29, 2014 - Olympia

Time 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Location: United Churches of Olympia, Fireside Room, 110 -11th Ave. SE, Olympia
Sponsors: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Legal Issues Section of the Washington State Bar,Sponsored by ACLU of Washington, Equal Rights Washington, GSBA - Greater Seattle Business Association, Lambda Legal, Legal Voice, QLaw Foundation GLBT Legal Clinic, Pride Foundation- LGBTQ Community Foundation.

Friday, June 6, 2014 - TriCities - Kennewick. 7:00

Presenter: Jill Mullins-Cannon, Justice & Equality Services, PLLC

Sponsors: Mid-Columbia Pride, 3Rivers Counseling, PFLAG -MID-Columbia,Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Legal Issues Section of the Washington State Bar,Sponsored by ACLU of Washington, Equal Rights Washington, GSBA - Greater Seattle Business Association, Lambda Legal, Legal Voice, QLaw Foundation GLBT Legal Clinic, Pride Foundation- LGBTQ Community Foundation.

Seattle

The panel in Seattle was taped by the Seattle Channel and available here. The panel was moderated by David Ward, who wears many hats, including QLaw Foundation President and Legal & Legislative Counsel at Legal Voice. Senator Jamie Pedersen provided an introduction to the event.

Panelists included:
- Cynthia Buhr, Law Offices of Cynthia F. Buhr
- Denise Diskin, Steve Teller & Associates
- Janet Helson, Skellenger Bender
- Representatives from WA State Dept. of Health
Sponsored by ACLU of Washington, Equal Rights Washington, GSBA - Greater Seattle Business Association, Lambda Legal, Legal Voice, QLaw Foundation GLBT Legal Clinic, Pride Foundation- LGBTQ Community Foundation, Seattle LGBT Commission, & Seattle Office for Civil Rights.
Special thanks to our media sponsor The Seattle Lesbian.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - Tacoma

Panelists: David Ward (QLaw Foundation & Legal Voice), Judi O'Kelley, Lambda Legal, Denise Diskin, Steve Teller & Associates)
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Oasis & Rainbow Center, 2215 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Sponsored by ACLU of Washington, Equal Rights Washington, GSBA - Greater Seattle Business Association, Lambda Legal, Legal Voice, QLaw Foundation GLBT Legal Clinic, Pride Foundation- LGBTQ Community Foundation.

All information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. The Qlaw Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donate here.

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