Dear Editor: All Washington families should be treated the same, with the same protections, the same rights and the same obligations as their neighbors. With the economic crisis making life so much more difficult for so many families, we need to increase support not take it away. This year in Olympia, Washington state legislators overwhelmingly passed the Domestic Partnership Expansion bill which gives domestic partners – including gay and lesbian couples – the same legal rights as married couples. Unfortunately, a small but vocal group of opponents are seeking to place a referendum – Referendum 71 – on the ballot to repeal this law. It perplexes me to no end that anyone would waste time and energy on a referendum that does nothing but spread intolerance and eliminate rights. What harm is there in extending rights to all people? We should be focusing our energy on moving forward and building stronger communities. If someone asks you, please decline to sign Referendum 71 and send a message that we want progress in Washington for all families. Sincerely, Laura Ellsworth