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Correction: In 2009 the Maine legislature did what Washington’s just did – dump their DOMA and replace with a marriage equality law. A NOM-backed referendum rolled back Maine’s new law before it could be enacted. Washington will be the first state to replace DOMA with a marriage equality law if equality advocates succeed in defending the new law against a ballot measure challenge. Very sorry for the inadvertent misinformation.
Fifteen years ago the Washington state Legislature overrode Gov. Gary Locke’s veto and passed the discriminatory “defense of marriage act” (DOMA) to prevent gay and lesbian couples from obtaining civil marriage licenses. Today the Washington state Legislature became the first in the nation to correct its DOMA mistake and pass a marriage equality bill.
The bill (SB 6239) passed on bipartisan votes in the House today (55 to 43) and last week in the Senate (28 to 21). It now heads to Governor Gregoire’s desk for her signature.
The reasons for the legislature’s historic shift on marriage equality are no mystery. It is the result of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people being out to our family, friends, co-workers and fellow church members. By now, members of our communities know that lots of folks they interact with every day, care about and respect — from doctors to daughters to carpenters to constituents — are LGBT.
It is also the result of LGBT people and our allies telling friends and family why the freedom to marry matters to us. These conversations have translated into ever-increasing support for marriage equality among Washington voters who in turn have chosen pro-equality legislators to represent them in Olympia. Pro-equality voters elect pro-equality legislators. And lobby them, too.
In a twist of irony, every time LGBT families are attacked at the ballot box or in the legislature, it gives us another chance to tell our stories and for folks to see the inequity we face for simply being loving, committed couples.
Passing the marriage equality bill represents the second “first” for pro-equality Washington. In November, 2009 the state’s electorate became the first in the nation to uphold a comprehensive same-sex relationship recognition law at the polls when they approved Referendum 71 53.2% to 46.8%.
What’s next?
The marriage equality conversation has been going on in Washington for almost 40 years and isn’t over with today’s vote. The opposition has vowed to challenge to the new law with a referendum on the November ballot.
Deep-pocketed National Organization for Marriage has promised to bankroll the referendum effort with mountains of out-of-state cash, so as Zach Silk, campaign manager for Washington United for Marriage says, “We take them at their word that they’re going to put this on the ballot.”
Once Gov. Gregoire signs the bill, NOM can officially file their referendum. After their ballot language is approved by, they’ll have until June 6th (90 days after the legislative session ends) to gather 120,577 valid signatures from Washington voters.
Under normal circumstances the marriage equality law would go into effect on June 7th, with wedding celebrations starting that same week. But by qualifying a referendum for the ballot Washington, D.C.-based NOM will take away that joy and right from loving Washington couples until the results of the November, 2012 election are known.
No matter what state you live in, what happens to the marriage equality law in Washington matters. As the federal DOMA repeal bill is debated in Congress and as DOMA challenges make their way to the US Supreme Court, it matters that another state has chosen to pass a marriage equality law. It matters that by passing this law Washington is asking the federal government to treat its loving, committed gay and lesbian couples equally under federal law and confer on them the 1138 federal rights, responsibilities and benefits that only come with marriage.
You can help build the national freedom to marry movement by helping Washington defend its new marriage equality law at the ballot box. Please support Washington United for Marriage. Find them on Facebook to learn more.
Related:
* Over 71 Percent of College Freshmen Support Same-Sex Marriage
* Washington voters are more ready than ever for marriage equality
* All of Washington state is moving towards equality
11 Comments
I can’t help but wonder how the bigots’ inability to hide their names will affect things this time.
I don’t think it’ll matter, as it didn’t in 2009. Their “concern” was pure stagecraft.
But last time they could still sue. Obviously the leaders won’t worry, but other signers may behave differently now.
Just a quick YAHOOO for WA, the LGBT community and for all civil rights!! Pac NW Rocks!!!
Thanks for the read, ma’am.
I’ll give a qualified woohoo! to Washington. The qualifier is that I don’t think minority rights should be put to a vote. Ever.
I live just across the river in Portland, OR, and we’re at least a couple years away, because when last I checked, same-sex marriage has to be decided via referendum in Oregon. What sort of civilized people decides at the ballot box whether a minority class gets to enjoy the same rights the majority accepts as their due?
Oh, yeah…we do. Stay classy….
Breaking, NM. The DOMA bill that was scheduled to be heard in committee tomorrow at the NM Legislature was withdrawn this afternoon, due to all the phone calls and other communications received opposing it in the office of the foolish Senator who wanted to propose it.
Well done NM!!
But that’s the real trouble again, isn’t it? Once again, NOM will push a canceling proposition onto the ballot, tons of bigot dollars will pour into Washington State (including from other national organizations and religions), there’ll be all the usual lies about gays being a danger to kids…and once again, be turned back narrowly because irrational fears often trump reason.
Seriously, I have to wonder if we are ever going to deal with the fact we need to stop these popular votes on our essential human rights.
As a NM resident this is good news.
What I wouldn’t give for an actual legal status for the marriage my wife and I have had for over 13 years now though.
via The Bellingham Herald (link takes to story) from the Tacoma News-Tribune:
Westboro Church to picket Powell boys’ funeral as anti-gay protest
“Margie Phelps, daughter of the Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church’s founder, tweeted Wednesday night that the church will attend the boys’ memorial service. The protest is to “remind” Gov. Chris Gregoire “they died because of her rebellion,” a reference to her support of same-sex marriages.”
This is disgusting! A person of interest in a homicide, using a hatchet on his two sons (ages 7 and 5) before the fire he set finished them, has absolutely nothing to do with support of same-gender marriage. Once again Westboro Church is demonstrating why their 501(c)(3) should be revoked.