OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington state moved a step closer to becoming the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage Wednesday when the House of Representatives voted to send the bill to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her signature.
Next up: what is sure to be a long, expensive political battle, asking voters to support or overturn the law.
In a 55-43 vote, the House approved the bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to legally obtain a marriage license. The bill would not require churches or other religious organizations to perform ceremonies for same-sex couples.
Last week, the state Senate voted 28-21 in favor of the bill.
Gov. Gregoire has said she will sign it into law.
Because there is no emergency clause on the bill, the law wouldn't take effect for 90 days. Opponents have already promised a referendum battle at the ballot, so it's likely it could be put on hold pending the outcome of a November election. If opponents are unable to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, couples could marry starting in June.
A KING 5/Survey USA poll taken in January shows state voters are split on whether they support a law approving same-sex marriage.
Washington state has had a domestic partnership law since 2007, and an "everything but marriage" expansion of that law since 2009.
Same-sex marriage is legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia.
(Source)
YEAHHHHHHHHHHH. But ugh seriously dnw it to go to voters.
Next up: what is sure to be a long, expensive political battle, asking voters to support or overturn the law.
In a 55-43 vote, the House approved the bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to legally obtain a marriage license. The bill would not require churches or other religious organizations to perform ceremonies for same-sex couples.
Last week, the state Senate voted 28-21 in favor of the bill.
Gov. Gregoire has said she will sign it into law.
Because there is no emergency clause on the bill, the law wouldn't take effect for 90 days. Opponents have already promised a referendum battle at the ballot, so it's likely it could be put on hold pending the outcome of a November election. If opponents are unable to gather enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, couples could marry starting in June.
A KING 5/Survey USA poll taken in January shows state voters are split on whether they support a law approving same-sex marriage.
Washington state has had a domestic partnership law since 2007, and an "everything but marriage" expansion of that law since 2009.
Same-sex marriage is legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia.
(Source)
YEAHHHHHHHHHHH. But ugh seriously dnw it to go to voters.
Anyway, hooray!
But boooo about it possibly going to a vote - the majority shouldn't get to vote on the rights of minorities...
Question - how likely is it that the people opposed to it could successfully get it put to a vote, and how likely is it that people would vote against it?
If it goes to a vote, I will nagging the hell out of certain people.
I'm hoping they don't get enough signatures, but I'm afraid they will. With paid signature gatherers it's just an issue of money.
I strongly suspect the referendum wouldn't pass if it does come to a vote, but that's not really the point -- civil rights should be decided via popular vote.
Anyway, looking forward (not really) to a lot of hate around here in the next few months. I've already seen one anti-marriage-equality billboard in town, and if anyone's ever been to Olympia, well... their message has as much chance of catching on here as an atheist billboard in the bible belt. It sticks out like a giant sore thumb.
It'll be interesting, one way or t'other. I remember being pleasantly surprised at the lack of nastiness when the 2007 bill went in to effect (and my parental unit was running the building where the actual first not-marriages were taking place, so was kind of in the thick of things) -- it was a giant, happy party, and the haters were no-shows. I'd love a repeat of that!
If they do get on the ballot I'm hoping that Microsoft and some of the other major employers in the area will be throwing some serious change into defeating the initiative. Marriage legalization would probably save them an enormous amount of money and simplify how they provide benefits to their employees so I'm sure its in their best interests (financially if not morally) to see marriage equality stick.
I believe Microsoft and Boeing are already on board. Have to see if they put their money where their mouth is. Another interesting possibility is that with the haters spending their cash on the prop8 battle (if it continues) and the presidential election, perhaps there won't be enough to spare for sig gathering in WA. One can hope...
Your disguise idea amuses me, though. "Okay, people! Today we go fight the good fight, to keep america pure and free of teh scary gayz. You'll be deep in enemy territory, so here's your hemp-fest t-shirt and your hendrix badge."
It was the Mormon church behind Prop 8 and they seem to have a LOT of money. I feel like they will get enough petition signatures, but I'm wondering if there isn't something else that can be done to prevent it from getting on the ballot in light of the recent Prop 8 ruling.
Hendrix badge! I want one!
I remember running into 'em all weekend at the Folklife Festival, and they were always go-gettings in the morning, but by one p.m. they were in a stoned heap on the fountain lawn.
Give 'em credit, you knew they believed in their cause!
Edited at 2012-02-09 02:02 am (UTC)
Give 'em credit, you knew they believed in their cause!
This commment. Dead.
how long do they have to collect signatures, and how many do they need?
eta: From this article, which just appeared on my tumblr dash:
In October, a University of Washington poll found that an increasing number of people in the state support same-sex marriage. About 43% of respondents said they support gay marriage, up from 30 percent in the same poll five years earlier. Another 22% said they support giving identical rights to gay couples, without calling the unions "marriage."
If a challenge to gay marriage law was on the ballot, 55% said they would vote to uphold the law. And 38% said they would vote to reject a gay marriage law.
Edited at 2012-02-09 01:15 am (UTC)
A coworker of mine was just telling me the other day how much it it costs him financially not to be married to his partner. Although thankfully our company is progressive enough to include same-sex partners on benefits, so his partner is covered under his health insurance, he still has to pay taxes on it as though it were income, which is bullshit.
I wish it wasn't going to go to the voters, but if it does, we're going to win. It's still exciting news. Yay!
couples could marry starting in June
I see what you did there, WA.
Jayzus Christmas.
I mean, this is awesome for Washington, but shit. No, that is not how it's supposed to work.
I really hope that the attempts to overturn it fail.
But man...sometimes i wish some thing were just totally off limits.
Yay for Washington, and i hope they utterly fail at getting any signatures at all.
No, these people only acknowledge the authority of the law and the will of the voter when it agrees with their beliefs. Otherwise, it's a perversion of the vote and a deception of the voters and it will have to get to the point where people realize that these types will NEVER play fair, so they simply can't play, period.
Hypocrites.