In December of that year, Strong's partner of nine years, Kate Fleming, died suddenly when a flash flood trapped her inside the flooded basement of her Madison Valley, Seattle, recording studio during the Hanukkah Eve Wind Storm.
[1] Arriving at the hospital, Strong was initially prevented from joining Fleming, despite their long partnership, because Washington State did not recognize domestic partners.
[2] In January 2007, she testified before the Washington State Senate Committee in support of a bill creating a statewide Domestic Partnership Registry.
In April 2007, she stood beside Governor Christine Gregoire as that domestic partnership bill was signed into law.
[4] In February 2009, Gregoire appointed Strong to the Washington State Human Rights Commission.