&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.&

At this time, six states plus the District of Columbia recognize marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Nine states—California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington—provide 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 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

Washington United for Marriage is a coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and business associations working together to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples. To find more information and learn how you can help, visit WashingtonUnitedForMarriage.org. Engage with Washington United for Marriage on social media at Twitter.com/WA4Marriage and at Facebook.com/WashingtonUnited.— Staff