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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
December 13, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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December 13, 2012
 
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Marriages Continued from page A-1 and have an 18-month-old daughter together, with an- other daughter due in April. "We've considered our- selves married since then," Marja said. "It will be really nice to have some sort of gov- ernment recognition." 'Wow I can say "Yes rm married,' "Beth added. Throughout their relation- ship, the Stowells have seen many changes in rights given to gay couples. The first, they said, was when same-sex cou- ples were allowed to enter into domestic partnerships. While domestic partner- ships conferred many of the rights of marriage to gay cou- ples, such as rights to their partner's pension, the Stowells said getting married was about more than a legal definition. "I think it's a matter of re- spect," Marja said. Also, when she was preg- nant with their daughter, Atley, Marja said the law changed aga anowing both mothers to have their names on their daughter's birth cer- tificate. Before then, Beth would have had to apply for adoption to have parental rights to Atley. In the weeks leading up to the referendum's becoming law, the Mason County Au- ditor's Office had to redo its marriage applications to ac- commedate the new law. "Any time there's any change in legislation, it is cost- ly because we had to create all new forms," Mason County Auditor Karen Herr said. "Bride and groom, husband and wife, all that terminology has changed." In the place of terms such as husband and wife, county marriage applications now read "Applicant A" and '~kppli- "cant B." In order to apply for a mar- riage license, couples can go to the auditor's office and fill out the county's application. Both applicants need to be at least 18 years old, and pay a $64 fee. Aiter applying, a couple must wait three days to have a marriage cei~emony. '- The Stowells were married by a family friend in a small cer- emony Sunday, and plan on hav- ing a larger party to celebrate the marriage this summer. After applying for the li- cense, a couple gets a marriage packet, including the Wash- ington State Department of Healths (DOH) marriage cer- tificate, and separate certificate of marriage and marriage li- cense, to be filled out by whom- ever officiates the wedding. Herr said the DOH form was only approved by the state three days before the ref- erendum became law. Couples have 60 days to have their wedding officiated ai~r applying for the mar- riage license. Herr said she saw ~moder- ate" interest from community members about the new law, but added she wasn't sure how many couples to expect. "A lot of people were calling to check on our hours," Herr said. "We've gotten a moderate amount of phone calls -- we did not know what to expect." The new law also recog- nizes same-sex marriages performed in other states as valid, but a same-sex couple's Washington marriage license may not be accepted as valid in other states. According to the law, ex- isUng domestic partnerships between same sex partners in Washington will be automati- cally converted to marriage on June 30, 2014, unless at least one partner is 62 years of age or older on that date. Referendum 74 passed state- wide with 53.7 percent of the vote. Mason County residents voted against the referendum with 52 percent voting no. The election Was certified statewide on Dec. 6. Both Lauzon and Barr agreed that Mason County has become more accepting of same- sex couples in recent years. "It's a lot more (tolerant) than it used to be," Barr said. The Stowells agreed, saying they felt welcome in the area. "I've never felt discriminat- ed against," Beth said. The couple stressed that their marriage does not affect anyone else's. • '~obody's vocal and I ap- preciate that," Marja said. "I think the people who are really against us are going to find out it doesn't affect their lives." ,:~'~ i " ; : ~:~:,,~= ..... Mention this ad and receive... ANY SPA SERVICE Spend an hour or spend the dayr. CASINO*RESORT. www.littJe-creek.eom Visit Seven Inlets Spa to make your next appointment or call 360-462-1 SPA, Must be 18 or older, *Valid through t2124/12. Avoid long lines and get people a present Illlllll II -- ,,,m, ..... they rea,,, wan, th,s year- a ft Car . Make everyone happy by giving the gift that never disappoints. Stop by any ...... Peninsula Credit Union branch and .......... PeninSula purchase your Visa Gift Cards today!c. E o, T u N, o ), : C rltstals, GiRS, & Nature Center Lots of Special gifts under $20. 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