‘Historic day,’ says governor, as marriage equality passes Legislature

February 8, 2012 at 3:53 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle politics | 37 Comments

“This is truly a historic day in Washington state, and one where I couldn’t be more proud. With today’s vote, we tell the nation that Washington state will no longer deny our citizens the opportunity to marry the person they love. We tell every child of same-sex couples that their family is every bit as equal and important as all other families in our state. And we take a major step toward completing a long and important journey to end discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

So said Governor Gregoire in the statement she just issued following the State House’s vote passing the marriage-equality bill, one week after it gained State Senate approval. She is expected to sign it within days. What happens then depends on whether opponents threatening a referendum get enough signatures for one, in which case the law would be on hold pending November election results.

ADDED 6:03 PM: Reaction from West Seattle’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott:

“I thank the leaders who came before us, those who stood up and demanded equality following the Stonewall Riots of 1969. The community that took shape that night paved the way to today’s historic vote. I commend the courageous leadership our elected officials displayed. But most importantly, I commend the families who live their lives openly across King County and Washington State. This nation was founded on the premise of individual rights. The House of Representatives’ vote today is another step toward a more perfect union. Today is a historic and joyous day. But the fight for full equality under the law continues.”

ADDED 7:15 PM: We’re covering the 34th District Democrats‘ meeting tonight, and it opened with chair Tim Nuse mentioning today’s vote, and the membership responding with a standing ovation.

37 Comments

  1. a step forward for this state. I couldn’t be happier about this. It’s about time !

    Comment by JanS — 4:01 pm February 8, 2012 #

  2. *grabs popcorn*

    Comment by Ripper — 4:33 pm February 8, 2012 #

  3. So awesome!

    Comment by Cathy — 4:39 pm February 8, 2012 #

  4. Hey all, please keep in mind that we will need to fight this at the ballot before anyone can get married. And it will be big out of state money pushing the referendum. There is a big figt ahead and we need everyone’s support!

    Comment by Kgdlg — 4:51 pm February 8, 2012 #

  5. FINALLY!

    Comment by Kae — 5:03 pm February 8, 2012 #

  6. Fantastic news…so proud of my state!

    Comment by Steve — 5:11 pm February 8, 2012 #

  7. Whoo-hoo! And California’s Prop 8 is ready for the US Supreme Court…we may actually finish crawling out of the dark ages before my kids are old enough to have first hand knowledge of how shamefully we’ve treated some of our own citizens.

    Comment by Ms. Sparkles — 5:45 pm February 8, 2012 #

  8. With you all the way, Kgdlg!

    Comment by datamuse — 5:56 pm February 8, 2012 #

  9. Finally! I hope all the people who are against this realize how badly their grandchildren will view them. No one is going to look back in 50 years and think “thank god they tried to stop people getting married”, it’ll be an embarrassment, just like we look back at the folks who spent their lives trying to stop interracial marriage.

    Comment by Alki Area — 6:01 pm February 8, 2012 #

  10. It’s not over yet though. Churches and conservative organizations will be pumping a lot of money into CA and WA to overturn marriage equality via the ballot. The *real* fight is yet to come, unfortunately.
    Edit: Sorry. I missed Kgdlg’s post above. What they said.

    Comment by NFiorentini — 6:09 pm February 8, 2012 #

  11. We really wish those threatening a referendum would take a step back to look at what is important in life. It is about time and we shouldn’t continue wasting dollars on something that shouldn’t even be an issue or concern. That money could be put to use in so many more important ways. Two people regardless of sex, color, ethnicity, etc should have the right to marry the one they love. With a divorce rate greater than 50% in our nation, who are we or anyone else to judge who should be allowed to marry…so many of these conservatives don’t seem to be getting it right. We hope many happy, committed folks are soon allowed to officially marry their loved one!

    Comment by an — 6:15 pm February 8, 2012 #

  12. So proud of thIs state. Wonderful news! Please don’t view all Christians as anti-gay marriage. There are more of us for gay marriage than against. We’re just not as vocal…maybe we should be.

    Comment by Christians for Gay Marriage — 6:37 pm February 8, 2012 #

  13. One BIG step taken. Congratulations! Several more needed. PERSEVERE!

    Comment by Aman — 6:38 pm February 8, 2012 #

  14. Well put an

    Comment by Jwws — 6:53 pm February 8, 2012 #

  15. It’s been a long haul and is not over yet. Gotta stick to it, Si Se Puede!

    Comment by 35this35mph — 6:55 pm February 8, 2012 #

  16. While I celebrate the vote in the House today, I certainly do expect that opponents will gather enough signatures to put the issue on the November ballot as a referendum. Please sign up at http://washingtonunitedformarriage.org/ to support marriage equality!

    Comment by Councilmember Joe McDermott — 7:01 pm February 8, 2012 #

  17. This is fantastic and long past due! Thanks Washington State legislators and those who put the pressure on them to make this happen!

    Comment by WSH — 7:01 pm February 8, 2012 #

  18. Hey Right-wingers!!! Even Dick-friggin’-Cheney is for marriage equality…and we all know how you support everything he and his ilk stand for!

    Comment by ILoveWestSeattle — 7:10 pm February 8, 2012 #

  19. spread the word..and please don’t sign any kind of referendum signature gathering…

    Comment by JanS — 7:36 pm February 8, 2012 #

  20. Wonderful day for equality in Washington state!

    Comment by John — 7:49 pm February 8, 2012 #

  21. Councilmember Joe

    thanks for the link….
    we might as well let them know they are in for a fight if they try to overturn this one

    Comment by JoB — 8:28 pm February 8, 2012 #

  22. IloveWestSeattle,

    How about we keep it civil on the thread? Save those kind of inflammatory comments for craigslist.

    Thank you.

    Comment by G — 10:00 pm February 8, 2012 #

  23. Such great news!

    Civil Rights opponents can make themselves look as pathetic as they like while fighting this, but it ain’t gonna change a thing. Marriage equality is here to stay.

    Comment by Yardvark — 6:37 am February 9, 2012 #

  24. I agree. Why should straight couples be the only ones to suffer the pain of divorce? Equality for all!

    Comment by Biff — 7:25 am February 9, 2012 #

  25. This is great – HOWEVER – I am NOT looking forward to the harassing ‘are you a voter?’ people outside target and other stores around seattle trying to get this on the ballot in november.

    Comment by Grrrr — 8:40 am February 9, 2012 #

  26. Christians for Gay Marriage, Yes, you and others should. It would be highly welcomed.

    Comment by RP — 10:16 am February 9, 2012 #

  27. I smile at the “are you a voter” people, say yes, and thank them for asking. Then I just keep moving. The smiling usually leaves them speechless which is fine by me :)

    Comment by Always confused — 10:28 am February 9, 2012 #

  28. Always confused, that’s good. I’ll have to try that.

    Comment by datamuse — 2:07 pm February 9, 2012 #

  29. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbmbdWK6338&sns=em

    Yup, that totally made me cry…

    Comment by interrobang — 2:23 pm February 9, 2012 #

  30. This is going around facebook right now and I love it. Perfect line to say to those collecting signatures:
    When they ask you to be one of those 120,577 people that don’t believe in civil rights, just say,
    “No thanks, I don’t discriminate.” Be ready. Be strong. Pass it on.
    *
    Interrobang, Rep Walsh was amazing! Everyone should watch that video to see what it means to be truly accepting. She was my favorite speaker yesterday, mainly because she so obviously spoke from her heart and from such a place of love.

    Comment by ghar72 — 2:48 pm February 9, 2012 #

  31. Let’s just rejoice while our once great society takes another hit. How is this action moving our country forward ? Just more apeasment of a vocal minority while turning our backs on family, traditional morality and further weakening the fabric of this once greater nation. Yipee!

    Comment by Joe the Plumber — 8:44 pm February 9, 2012 #

  32. Wake up Joe the Plumber. Civil rights shouldn’t be up to a vote. All people deserve freedom.

    Comment by rite — 9:42 pm February 9, 2012 #

  33. @Joe, quit trollin’… hater :P

    No, but for real:
    1) it’s moving forward because it’s recognizing that all citizens of our fine country are equal in the eyes of the law.

    2) The vocal minority isn’t as much of a minority as it used to be — but regardless, why not appease minorities. You hate racial minorities too? Think interracial marriage is weakening the fabric of the nation? Yeah, no.

    3) How is this turning our backs on families? Seems like letting 2 parents marry is a fairly wholesome activity to me.

    4) What period of time do you choose to define “traditional morality” I’ll tell you what — the bible (because, that’s everyone’s favorite book) also says that to live morally you should give your wealth to the poor. It also says a lot of other things, but that’s a personal favorite of mine.

    Haha, you mad.

    Comment by interrobang — 9:52 pm February 9, 2012 #

  34. Quite a few of that “vocal minority” ARE my family, Joe. Get over it.

    Comment by datamuse — 12:13 am February 10, 2012 #

  35. Interrobang and others…….You live in a bubble, and if it makes you feel better attacking me for my difference of opinion, then have your fun. Calling me a “Hater” is the farthest thing from the truth. Paraphrasing the bible? I have never read it. Inferring that I may be a racist? Shoud have seen that coming. I degress to you and the rest of your ilk. You obviously know what’s best for the rest of us.

    Comment by Joe the Plumber — 4:47 am February 10, 2012 #

  36. What’s a degress?

    Comment by datamuse — 11:56 am February 10, 2012 #

  37. @ datamuse …He knows “ilk,” though!

    @ joe That’s the thing, Joe. If I lived in a bubble, I wouldn’t be able to empathize with others and their need to recognized as equals. Make sense?

    And I’m sorry if saying you were a hater offended you, but when you say hateful things, what are people to assume? That you’re a loving, accepting sort of fella? (Rhetorical, don’t answer)

    You’re the one who tried to define what “traditional morals” are (I still haven’t seen a response) and I was trying to open up the conversation. I don’t really care what you read and what you don’t.

    To be fair though, how could I not mention race when you outright say that recognizing the rights of minorities is a non-priority and to do so an offensive on a moral level? It’s not the first time people have said it and I doubt it will be the last — you should think before you speak. Besides… I answered that rhetorical question with a “yeah… no.” I gave you the benefit of the doubt… sorta.

    Comment by interrobang — 1:23 pm February 10, 2012 #

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