Following is a transcript of testimony presented Tuesday in Olympia on legislation to expand the rights and responsibilities of domestic partnerships in Washington.

My name is Judy Fleissner and I’m here today with my partner of 18 years, Chris Gamache. Together Chris and I have two kids – a son, Noah, who is 11 and just entered middle school and a daughter, Tillie, who is a second-grader.

My partner Chris is an attorney. I have been a police officer for the city of Bellevue for 9 ½ years. I have a very strong drive to see people treated fairly in my community. I put my life on the line for this belief daily at work. Outside of work, Chris and I dedicate much of our volunteer time to furthering these same principles.

As a police officer, I am also keenly aware of the fact that my family and I do not have the same rights and protections as the other officers. If I were killed or disabled, my family would feel the impact far more than the other officers I serve with. This brings a sense of instability to our family that I don’t feel should be there. Why should my family be penalized for others’ beliefs? Chris and I have registered as domestic partners in the state of Washington, and the city of Bellevue just recently joined a handful of other cities across the state that offer domestic partner benefits.

As a police officer, I need to know that if something happens to me in the line of duty that my family will be properly provided for. Chris and I have done what we can to try to ensure that our interests and the interests of our children are protected through wills and powers of attorney. But that’s not enough. There are many things such as homestead exemptions, nursing home visitation and community property laws that we simply cannot obtain by contract. It is our understanding the proposed expansion of DP laws addresses many rights and responsibilities that we cannot simply sign a document to obtain.

Chris and I also believe that it is very important to provide more structure to gay and lesbian couples – especially those with children – who decide to end their relationship. Just recently, two of our lesbian friends who had been together for over 20 years and who have two children split up. We were both subpoenaed to testify in their dissolution. While a divorce is never pleasant, I can assure you that it is even more difficult for both the parents and the children when there are no rules or laws to guide you through the process. I adore Chris and she and I intend on being together for the rest of our lives, but the reality is that many couples – both straight and gay – do not stay together. As parents, we think it is very important that a legal system be in place to protect the best interests of all families when relationships fail.

Lastly, I need to be very blunt. I don’t want to be here today talking about DP benefits. I want to be here talking about marriage. Chris and I have always believed and continue to believe that the only way my family and I can be treated fairly is if we are given the right to marry. But until that day comes – and it will – we urge you to expand the limited rights we do have. Thank you.