OLYMPIA, Wash. – A number of major employers in the Northwest have public expressed their support for marriage equality in Washington State, says Washington United for Marriage, a statewide coalition of organizations, congregations, unions and business associations that will work to obtain civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples in the state this year.

The supportive companies will join more than 70 businesses that signed onto the Washington United for Marriage Business Coalition, in support of the bills, SB6239 and HB2516, which will be heard in Senate and House committees on Monday, Jan. 23.

Currently Washington provides same-sex couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state.

“Washington United commends and thanks Microsoft, Group Health, Nike, Vulcan, Concur and Real Networks for supporting loving and committed lesbian and gay couples in the state by making their support for marriage equality known,” said Zach Silk, campaign manager for Washington United for Marriage.

“Marriage equality would put Washington businesses in the strongest, most competitive position to attract, recruit and retain the best and brightest employees -- and to keep high-caliber talent in the state. With hearings on the bills scheduled for this coming Monday, the momentum continues to grow in support of bestowing equal dignity and respect on all Washington families.”

Organizations and companies that have signed on to the Washington United for Marriage coalition include:

Washington United for Marriage Business Coalition

16 Copenhagen
A New Chapter
Adrift Hotel
Area 58 Fine Art
Atticus Coffee & Gifts
Big Mario's Pizza
Bimbos Cantina
Boo Radley's
BrandQuery LLC
Cha Cha Lounge
Concur
Connors and Company
Cordova Law Firm
DBL Property Maintenance
Elliot Bay Book Co.
Freeman LLC
Fun Fitness
Fuzed Travel
Group Health
Havana
Hillside Quickie Restaurants
Inn at Discovery Coast
JSW Ventures
Juju
Kelly Printing & Graphics
Kill Rock Stars
Kings Hardware
Lagoma Lodge
Law Office of Allen Draher, PLLC
Liberty Cafe
Local 360
Local Roots Farm
Microsoft
Moe Bar
Nike
Northmoon Artistic Creations
Onto Entertainment
Pacific Forest Resources
Pike Street Fish Fry
Poquitos
Precision Door Service
Rain City Entertainment
Real Networks
Ric-O-Shay
Screenplay, Inc.
Seattle Cigar Expo
Seattle Gay News
Seattle Interactive Conference
Seattle Restaurant Alliance
Seattle Tattoo Expo
Serendipity Catering
Spitfire Bar & Grill
Spokane Wireless Inc.
Tango Restaurant
The 5 Point Café
The Clark Company
The Crocodile
The Red Door
The Saint
Thinking Cap Communications & Design
ThirdPlanet Productions
Thom's Hand-Brewed Coffee
True North, PLLC
Tula's Restaurant and Jazz Club
Unicorn Bar
Vista Diagnostics International
Vulcan
Wed4Less Northwest
Whidbey Wayfarer Farm
Wild Sage American Bistro
Zim's Mobile Computer Services LLC

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