Thursday, February 02, 2012

Washington Is One Step Closer

Last night the Washington state Senate voted 28 to 21 to legalize marriage between same-sex partners.

"We ask for your support tonight because marriage is the way society says you are family."
Senator Ed Murray, chief sponsor of the legislation and a gay man in a two-decade partnership.

The House of Representatives is expected to approve the legislation within a week and Governor Chris Gregoire will sign the bill. Gregoire is the perfect example of someone who has struggled with this issue, and then realized it's just about eqaulity for all the people in her state.

"As the son of a gay man....I am proud to stand on the right side of history and to vote for marriage equality and I am proud to stand for my father."

Sen. Kevin Ranker.

Washington is close to becoming the seventh state to legalize marriage between same-sex couples, after New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa and the District of Columbia.  A statewide vote on the issue is likely in Maine this fall and, in Maryland, another Catholic governor. Martin O'Malley, is urging his legislature to act.


"I believe an adult should be able to marry the person they love: It's that simple for me."
Republican Senator Steve Litzow--one of the four Republicans to support marriage equality.  

Opponents of equality have until June to collect the 120,577 valid voters signatures needed to force a referendum on same-sex marriage next November. But the Washington Poll found last fall that 55% of Washingtonians would vote to sustain same-sex marriage if passed by the Legislature.
Run with it, Washington.
Run.

4 comments:

  1. I actually checked the news feed at 2am last night to see if the House had time to pass it last night.

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  2. UPATE - The House has not passed it yet but no-one is worried, just a formality. This, just posted online in our paper is more of a worry -
    "Gov. Chris Gregoire announced support for the bill last month, and has promised to sign it into law. The law wouldn’t take effect until June, and would be delayed if opponents turn in enough referendum signatures."

    We did this once. Overturned an attempt to take away 'everything but' (Ref 71) so we can do it again!

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  3. I'm agree with you, if every gay man and woman came out of the closet then this would be a non-issue. Those who stay in the closet (who are cowards in my book, no apologies for the harsh word) only enable the continuation of hate, discrimination, and violence against gay people and self-destruction of some gay people who are consumed with guilt. I came out when I was 21 years old in 1963 when it was definitely unfashionable and not safe to come out. I survived and others can too. Was it easy? No. I lost many friends and over the years was fired from two jobs because I was gay. I personally know too many gay people today who are quite willing to go to there graves still in the closet because of self-hatred and guilt and just afraid of what would happen if they came out. If they would only come out they would see that it isn't such a big deal and the "friends" that they lose (and some family members) aren't worth having anyway. The Truth really will set you free.

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