Downtown Seattle Association Supports Same-Sex Marriage Law

The Downtown Seattle Association’s board of directors has voted to support marriage equality in Washington state, becoming one of the largest business membership organizations to take a public stance on the pending ballot measure.

In 2009, DSA also encouraged support for a domestic partnership law in the form of Referendum 71, and the rationale for supporting Referendum 74 (marriage equality) is the same:

— Marriage equality is a human rights issue

— Marriage equality is an economic competitiveness issue for Seattle and Downtown

— Rejecting marriage equality would damage Seattle’s ability to attract knowledge workers

Major area employers (and DSA members) are already onboard.  Companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, Macy’s, Apple, Google, Home Depot and Nike all support marriage equality in Washington state.

“The DSA champions a healthy vibrant urban core, and being able to attract the best companies and workers is critical to remaining competitive.” says DSA President & CEO Kate Joncas.

Marriage Equality is an important civil rights issue, and it is an important economic issue, because studies show that knowledge workers, creative workers and young workers prefer communities that are diverse, open and tolerant. DSA believes that supporting Marriage Equality is the right thing to do and important to our economic future”

A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll shows more than half of Americans now support same-sex marriage, a 53-39 percent margin in favor of marriage equality.

There is currently a petition drive to put this law on the ballot for a statewide vote in November.

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