Washington Lawmaker To Introduce Gay Marriage Bill
In response to today's Washinton State Supreme Court 5-4 split decision on a challenge to the gay marriage ban, a Washinton lawmaker plans to introduce new legislation that would create marriage equality.
In its ruling the court noted there are hardships for same-sex couples and suggested that the legislature "may want to re-examine the impact of the marriage laws on all citizens of this state."
Rep. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) said he would take that suggestion seriously.
[...]
Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire late Wednesday indicated she would sign a marriage bill if it passed the legislature.
She said that when she and her husband Mike married state government provided certain rights and responsibilities, but, she said.
"I believe the state should provide these same rights and responsibilities to all citizens." Gregoire said. "I also believe the sacrament of marriage is between two people and their faith; it is not the business of the state."
The bill, however, is likely to meet stiff opposition in the legislature from Republicans.
I expect that we will see this trend across the country in the next few years--we'll see civil unions as well as full marriage equality legislation. California's legislative body passed a bill in both chambers that would have provided full marriage equality, though Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed this legislation.
Even in more conservative states we will see this trend of bringing in pro-equality legislation, even with the promise of a veto by the Governor.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 9:42 PM.
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ByTwo observations:
1. Gregoire was more pussyfooting around the marriage issue than endorsing it, though she was more clear on endorsing a future civil unions bill.
2. The bill will likely meet opposition from Republicans in the legislature, but it is also notable that in 2005 the GLBT anti-discrimination bill was defeated in the Senate by two Dixiecrats crossing over, and it was passed in 2006 by a moderate Republican changing his mind. The fortunate thing, though, is this Senate cycle is so favourable to Democrats that they will likely pick up three to four seats and in turn take the social issue sway away from those Dixiecrats.
I hope it will also help that Ed Murray will be a senator come 2007 and that will move the more conservative chamber along faster. If Democrats can extend their Senate majority, then I definitely think a civil unions compromise would be able to pass the legislature. They would feasibly have the votes to override a unified GOP opposition, and would have the aid of the sizable minority of reasonable House Republicans to push it through the House with bipartisanship.
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