Union Week: Meet Kathy Garvin — WEA

Name: Kathy Garvin
City: Tacoma, WA
Occupation: Educational Support Services — Operations
Union affiliation: ESPCP/Washington Education Association

Why do you support Referendum 74?

Marriage is a celebration, a commitment, and a legal agreement that should be available to everyone….Referendum 74 simply reinforces what should already exist, [freedom] for everyone to marry.

Do you think Marriage Equality is a labor issue? Why?

Is marriage equality a labor issue? Yes. Ref. 74 says all families should be treated equally. Rather than analyzing which rights are granted in a domestic partnership, an employer would simply need to know that all married employees share the same benefits.

Posted by sylvia | August 29, 2012

Union Week: Meet Mark Mains


Name: Mark Mains
City: Mukilteo, WA
Occupation: 3rd Grade Teacher — National Board Certified
Union affiliation: Mukilteo Education Association

Why do you support Referendum 74?

For me, it’s a matter of fairness. My wife and I have a number of gay friends. One particular friend met a man from a different country and fell in love with him here in the U.S. Because they were unable to take the next step and marry, his love was unable to stay in the country and was forced to leave. My friend was devastated. It was a devastating situation.

Do you think Marriage Equality is a labor issue? Why?

It is a labor issue. As a union, we bargain collectively for benefits– family benefits like medical care, life insurance, etc. Our union is dedicated to supporting the dignity of all its members, regardless of who they choose to love. But we can’t bargain for any rights that aren’t codified by state law.

Our legislature took the lead by passing this historic legislation and it’s up to all of us to follow-through by voting to uphold their action by approving Referendum 74.

Posted by sylvia | August 28, 2012

Small Biz Week: Tutta Bella Pizzeria — Seattle, WA


(photo: Tom Schabarum)

Business Name: Tutta Bella Pizzeria
Location: Seattle, WA
Specialty: Restauranteur
Business Owner: Joe Fugere

Is Approving Referendum 74 good for your business? Why?

At the heart of Tutta Bella is our purpose which is to nourish lives by sharing traditions, authentic food and love. Many of our employees and guests alike are part of the lesbian and gay community and creating an environment where all of our employees and guests feel welcomed, nourished and respected along with supporting the communities in which we operate is an essential part of what we do every day.

Same-sex couples deserve the same respect and dignity as their peers and that loving, committed relationships add to vibrant and diverse workforces.

Posted by sylvia | August 26, 2012

Quote of the Day: August 26, 2012

“It is [as] good for the business as it is good for people.” –Dani Cone, Owner, Fuel Coffee Seattle and Hi 5 Pie on approving Referendum 74.

Posted by sylvia | August 26, 2012

Small Biz Week: Choke Print Shop + Promotions — Seattle, WA


Business Name: Choke Print Shop + Promotions
Location: Seattle, WA
Specialty: Print & Apparel
Business Owner: Matt Thompson & Jeff Gonzales

Why do you personally support Referendum 74?

Its simple. Jeff and I have been together for 10 years and would love to some day have the option to be married. [Also] passing R74 at the state level helps the cause nationally.

Is Approving Referendum 74 good for your business? Why?

Doing the right thing is good for business. Showing others around the country that Washington supports equality for everyone will help businesses across the state both is sales resulting from weddings as well as making our state more competitive in the hiring arena.

Posted by sylvia | August 25, 2012

Small Biz Week: Spicy Soul Catering — Olympia, WA


Business Name: Spicy Soul Catering
Location: Olympia, WA
Specialty: Caterer
Business Owner: Maria Garcia-Rojas

Why do you personally support Referendum 74?

My best friend in Mexico is a part of the gay community. I hope that one day he can marry the person of his choice.

Is Approving Referendum 74 good for your business? Why?

Spicy Soul has participated in Olympia Pride for the past two years. Over that time many gay and lesbian couples have spoken with us about catering a wedding reception or wedding events. I believe our catering business sales will increase once the people of Washington State approve Referendum 74.

Posted by sylvia | August 24, 2012

Small Biz Week: Pacific Grill — Tacoma, WA


Business Name: Pacific Grill
Location: Tacoma, WA
Specialty: Restauranteur
Business Owner: Gordon Nacarrato

Why do you personally support Referendum 74?

Personally I have family, friends and coworkers in the gay and lesbian community, many of them in committed relationships. With the Freedom to Marry, my friends will have the economic stability and protections that comes with marriage.

Is Approving Referendum 74 good for your business? Why?

For me, it’s an empowering feeling to endorse and support R74. Like other businesses, I want to recruit and hire the best employees possible and have them live authentic lives in our city. Approving Referendum 74 will be a huge step in that direction.

Posted by sylvia | August 24, 2012

Tweet of the Day: August 23, 2012

From a volunteer phone bank our Capitol Hill Action Center:

Join us next week! We hold phone banks at the Capitol Hill Action Center (517 E. Pike Street) Monday – Thursday from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

Posted by sylvia | August 23, 2012

Small Biz Week: Thinking Cap Communications and Design — Spokane, WA


Business Name: Thinking Cap Communications and Design
Location: Spokane, WA
Specialty: Advertising and Graphic Design
Business Owner: Marvo Reguindin

What are your personal reasons for supporting Referendum 74?

My partner and I have been together for 17 years and we should have the same protections and benefits to build our lives together that other couples enjoy.

Is approving Referendum 74 good for your business? Why?

Marriage equality in a nutshell means gay and lesbian employees won’t need to find the financial resources and take time during the workday to find alternate ways to continually protect and build their lives together.

Posted by sylvia | August 23, 2012

Small Biz Week: Elliott Bay Books — Seattle, WA


Business Name: Elliott Bay Book Company
Location: Seattle, WA
Specialty: Bookseller
Business Owner: Peter Aaron

Why do you personally support Referendum 74?

It’s about my friends, loved ones and family in the LGBT community being able to make the same commitments in a loving relationship that I can.

At Elliott Bay Book Company I’m aware of two couples that are thrilled that the legislature approved the freedom to marry for all. These couples are now looking forward to a day soon when they can stand in front of friends and family and commit themselves in marriage.

Is Approving Referendum 74 good for your business? Why?

I hope that one day we will live in a community, city, state, country, and culture, that is supportive of the freedom to marry for all. When fairness and equal protection is provided to all people our communities are better off, including businesses.

Posted by sylvia | August 23, 2012