Update for Feb. 8
Just one day after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found it unconstitutional that California voters had unfairly placed same-sex couples to a lower status than heterosexual couples when the ban was passed, the Washington State House passed Bill 6239 paving the way for gay marriage here.
The House vote passed 55 to 43. Next the bill goes to Gov. Gregoire who said she will sign it. Opponents are expected to then collect signatures to place an amendment on November's ballot to strike down this decision.
Opposing amendment
The deadline for turning in signatures is June 6. The bare minimum required is 120,577, or 4 percent of all votes cast in the 2008 election for governor. The state Elections Division suggests turning in 150,000 or more, to cover invalid and duplicate signatures. The average error rate is 18 percent.
The filing of the signatures suspends the effective date. If the signature-verification process shows an insufficient number of signatures, then the law goes into effect right away. If the referendum is qualified for the ballot, then the law remains on hold until the voters make their decision in November and the General Election results are certified on Dec. 6.
There is no “window” in which same-sex couples can marry, between the bill being approved by the Legislature and Governor and a vote in November.
Passionate pleas on the House Floor
Representatives on both sides of the issue offered emotional speeches prior to the vote. Some invoked Biblical passages they claimed affirm same-sex marriage while others quoted the Bible to make their case against the bill. Several Representatives shared stories about being gay or lesbian, or having family members who had "come out", and who they accepted, they said.
Conflicting views from two Republicans
Jim McCune, State Representative, 2nd District, (R - Graham):
"...Mr Speaker, Washington State has truly separated God from State. In the short time I spent here there has been ongoing efforts to specifically change the foundation principles our country was founded upon. No one in this body has the right to change the definition of marriage. It is only a union between one man and one woman, period. God Himself ordained that one man and one woman be united in holy wedlock..."
Maureen Walsh, State Representative, 16th District, (R - Walla Walla):
"I was married for 23 years to the love of my life and he died six years ago. I'm a lonely old widow right now. I'm 51 years old and looking for a boyfriend, not having much luck with that. And yet, when I think of my husband and all the wonderful years we've had (...) I think to myself how could I deny anyone the right to have that incredible bond with another individual in life. To me it seems almost cruel."
-------------------------------------
Original post on Feb. 2
Two years and three months after the "everything-but-marriage" Referendum 71 passed to extend the rights of same-sex partnerships in Washington State, the Senate, last night, passed the marriage equality bill, SB-6239. This legislation legalizes gay marriage with exemptions for religious organizations opposed to conducting same-sex weddings.
The vote was 28 to 21, as four Republicans and 24 Democrats supported the bill, while three Democrats and 18 Republicans opposed it. Next, the bill is voted on by the House of Representatives, which has a wider margin of Democrats than the Senate. Governor Chris Gregoire said she would sign a gay marriage bill into law.
King County Councilmember Joe McDermott
King County Councilmember and West Seattle resident, Joe McDermott, an outspoken advocate for same-sex marriage and the marriage equality bill, shared his enthusiasm of its passage with the West Seattle Herald today. He attended the debate and passage.
"I was incredibly moved by the debate on the Senate floor last night. I was particularly impressed with the respect and decorum that the members of the Senate used on both sides of the debate respecting that everybody comes to their position very honestly and from their own experience.
"There were ugly debates in the Legislature in the past with issues affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and thankfully yesterday was very civil and respectful. It was amazing and for Washington to be moving to be the seventh state in the country to afford all of our citizens equal rights to civil marriage is incredibly moving to me. And indeed I am very much looking forward to marrying my partner (Michael Culpepper). We are engaged. We've been together 12 and a half years. We haven't sent invitations out."
Roadblock
"I have already been to the meeting this morning regarding the campaign this fall should the opponents gather enough signatures to put a referendum on the ballot, to make sure that the public approves this. The opponents have clearly said that they will gather signatures and have a referendum. I expect that there will be a referendum.
"If there is a referendum there would be a statewide vote in November. I, and many others, would be very active in the campaign to talk about why marriage equality is important and ask people to affirm the legislature's vote and governor's enactment to the bill. We will be working statewide."
All marriages add stability to relationships
"I think marriage is very much a commitment that enhances a relationship and supports that relationship, and for a couple who loves one another to have the opportunity to marry only strengthens their relationship and adds to that commitment."
Human Rights Commissioner Charlene Strong
Washington State Human Rights Commissioner and Co-Editor of The Seattle Lesbian, Charlene Strong, told the West Seattle Herald in our 2009 article on Referendum-71, "“I walked away with this from those against the (Referendum) R-71 bill- 'They don’t want their kids taught that gay is OK." Strong appeared on TV ads for Equal Rights Washington, which supported R-71.
"Some seem to think that God is behind them and I find there is no way to get through to them,” she said of those opposed to R-71 (...) I am reaching out to the other side of the state.”
With the "stop marriage equality referendum" in the works, Strong's reach may have to be stronger this time. She gave this statement today in The Seattle Lesbian:
"Washington State once again made an important statement tonight by voting to further the protections for same-sex families. Washington has taken a stand to make its voice heard by allowing same-sex couples the language that is universal - and that speaks of our committed relationships."
Editor-in-Chief of The Seattle Lesbian, Sarah Toce, also commented on the passage.
"Following last night's vote, Washington State is poised to become the seventh state in the U.S. to legalize marriage for same-sex couples in loving, committed relationships..."
The six states that have legalized same-sex marriage are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and also Washington, D.C.
Washington State polling results for same-sex marriage
According to its website, The Washington Poll is a non-partisan, academic survey research project implemented by the Center for Survey Research at the UW, a research center in the Department of Political Science. The survey was administered by telephone, using live callers, based on a randomly selected list of phone numbers using a publicly available list of registered voters. Voter registration status is confirmed by all respondents.
The survey was held from October 10 – 30, 2011.
When asked if gay and lesbian couples should have the same legal right to marry as straight couples, just 43% said yes, 37% were against the right to marry, but were in favor of some legal rights for domestic partnerships.
However, once a bill was passed, a majority said to keep it on the books:
"Next year the legislature could pass a law allowing gay and lesbian couples to get married. If that happens, there could be a referendum in which voters would be asked to approve or reject the law. If such a referendum were held today: Would you vote YES -- that is, to keep a law in place allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry OR would you vote NO, against the law -- to make it so that gay and lesbian couples could not marry?"
Results were 55% - 38% to keep the law in place:
Yes – keep law in place – strongly 47%
Yes – keep the law in place – not strong 8%
No – against the law – not strong 7%
No – against the law – strongly 31%
Undecided 7%
Attorney General, Rob McKenna, running for governor as a Republican is expected to fight for a referendum to kill the bill, while his Democratic opponent, US Representative Jay Inslee has backed SB 6239. That election is this November. Therefore, if a referendum surfaces, it will be placed on the same ballot.
