Marriage Equality Is Now the Law in Washington State (sort of...)

[Altair]

Gov. Christine Gregoire just signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington State into law! It doesn't take effect until June and is almost certain to be the subject of a ballot challenge that might repeal it.

The momentum this issue has gained so quickly (today the NJ Senate passed its own marriage equality bill, though it faces a certain veto from mealy-mouthed Republican governor Chris Christie) is astounding. Eventually that progress will stall--the Bible Belt ain't comin' around anytime soon--but this feeling is wonderful, reminding me of the euphoria we felt here in NY State when we passed our bill last year. (And when I got hitched a few months later as a result)



All I can say is: Cuomo/Gregoire in 2016! The Marriage Equality ticket!
(Hey, it's got gender balance, geographical balance, and two powerhouse leaders)

[Juni]

Gov. Christine Gregoire just signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington State into law! It doesn't take effect until June and is almost certain to be the subject of a ballot challenge that might repeal it.

Woo! Here's hoping it won't get repealed.

[Altair]

All I can say is: Cuomo/Gregoire in 2016! The Marriage Equality ticket!

And the gay ATM will spit out campaign cash by the boatload for that pairing

[Altair]

Woo! Here's hoping it won't get repealed.

I'm cautiously optimistic. When a ballot initiative was launched in Washington State by the right wing just a year or two ago to repeal their domestic partner law for same-sex couples, repeal lost 53% to 47%, and same-sex couples kept those rights.

That's a close margin, and the word "marriage" can bring up strong emotions...but it's still a win; more years have passed, with the momentum shifting more towards marriage equality exponentially with each passing year; and Gov. Gregoire is a powerful, convincing speaker on this issue, so I think she'll sway many votes.

[yewberry]

Woo! Here's hoping it won't get repealed.

Not if me and mine have anything to say about it! I think when the chips are down, Washington will do the right thing this time (no matter how many stupid Tim Eyman initiatives we've passed over the years).

Brina

[Aqua]

Gov. Christine Gregoire just signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington State into law! It doesn't take effect until June and is almost certain to be the subject of a ballot challenge that might repeal it.

The momentum this issue has gained so quickly (today the NJ Senate passed its own marriage equality bill, though it faces a certain veto from mealy-mouthed Republican governor Chris Christie) is astounding. Eventually that progress will stall--the Bible Belt ain't comin' around anytime soon--but this feeling is wonderful, reminding me of the euphoria we felt here in NY State when we passed our bill last year. (And when I got hitched a few months later as a result)

All I can say is: Cuomo/Gregoire in 2016! The Marriage Equality ticket!
(Hey, it's got gender balance, geographical balance, and two powerhouse leaders)

Wow, I hope it won't get repealed

[sailor]

I'm cautiously optimistic. When a ballot initiative was launched in Washington State by the right wing just a year or two ago to repeal their domestic partner law for same-sex couples, repeal lost 53% to 47%, and same-sex couples kept those rights.

That's a close margin, and the word "marriage" can bring up strong emotions...but it's still a win; more years have passed, with the momentum shifting more towards marriage equality exponentially with each passing year; and Gov. Gregoire is a powerful, convincing speaker on this issue, so I think she'll sway many votes.

It will be interesting. The voters approved (yeah, narrow margin) keeping everything but marriage earlier and the elected officials approved marriage now.

[RandallS]

Gov. Christine Gregoire just signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington State into law! It doesn't take effect until June and is almost certain to be the subject of a ballot challenge that might repeal it.

Let's hope the ballot challenge fails.

[Asch]

Let's hope the ballot challenge fails.

The referendum will be interesting, I am positive they will get the needed signatures to put it to a vote. The question is how the people will choose, we're a bit of a neurotic state the east and south / southeast tend to be far more conservative than the west, particularly Pierce and King counties, though Pierce is rather 'purple' in many ways.

Personally I think the domestic partnership law has gone a long way toward soothing the baseless fears of the fence sitters and hope and pray that compassionate common sense will prevail.

Also I hope republicans and conservatives give this a watch: and a good hard think before voting based on their own fears.

EDIT: Representative Walsh is a GOP member

[Owl]

I'm cautiously optimistic. When a ballot initiative was launched in Washington State by the right wing just a year or two ago to repeal their domestic partner law for same-sex couples, repeal lost 53% to 47%, and same-sex couples kept those rights.

That's a close margin, and the word "marriage" can bring up strong emotions...but it's still a win; more years have passed, with the momentum shifting more towards marriage equality exponentially with each passing year; and Gov. Gregoire is a powerful, convincing speaker on this issue, so I think she'll sway many votes.

Western WA (bigger population) tends Democrat. Eastern WA tends Republican. We are almost like 2 different states! But the bill has a good chance to stay just because, in the end, we tend a tad more liberal/democrat in total. After all, we elected Gregoire twice (and would probably go for a third if she could run).