OLYMPIA, Washington (Isabelle Zehnder reporting) -- Gay marriage supporters said Monday that Washington State’s Legislature has enough votes to legalize gay marriages.
The meeting in Olympia was to discuss the proposed HB 2516 - Marriage & Domestic Partnerships bill.
Gay marriages have long been and continue to be a highly debated issue with most people semingly far to one side or the other.
Gays can legally marry in six states and the District of Columbia (list below). It is a real possibility that Washington State could be added to that list. How do you feel about this? Your comments are welcome below.
Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen says she’ll support the measure. Hers became the 25th vote needed to pass the bill out of the Senate. The House already has enough support and Gov. Chris Gregoire has endorsed the plan.
Haugen told KING 5 News, “I’ve had hundreds of very heartfelt, sincere letters. I’ve had letters that are threatening and other letters that aren’t so pleasant, but I’m a Christian, and I don’t believe it’s my right to judge other people, and I really try to live by the Golden Rule, and I believe I’m following my faith at this point. I really think it’s the right thing to do.”
Not everyone will agree. Pastor Ken Hutcherson with the Antioch Bible Church said, “If you pass this bill you are just as narrow minded, just as bigoted, and you’re just as unloving to everything and everyone who wants to get married outside of one man, woman and two men and two women.”
Several clergymen were in support of the bill one saying, "It is the just, the moral, and the holy thing to do."
Archbishop J. Peter Sartain said, “The state has long recognized the societal benefits of promoting strong families because they established a framework for healthy permanent male, female relationships.”
“I am confident that this state, like every other state, that has had the option will weigh the evidence and ultimately conclude that moms and dads do matter,” said Joseph Backholm, Family Policy Institute.
Some threatened to fight the bill with a referendum, if passed.
“I have waited 17 years to ask this body to consider marriage equality for gay and lesbian families,” said Sen. Ed Murray, a sponsor of the bill.
“This bill is about people who love and cherish each other and wish to honor that commitment,” said Murray. “It also creates an absolute exemption for religious organizations and clergy that do not wish to marry same sex couples.”
Brennen Smith, 16, told about his gay parents and how they helped raise 30 foster children.
“Child rape victims, drug affected families, incarcerated parents, parents with extreme mental issues and victims of childhood neglect. I wonder why these parents, even though they are incapable of providing a safe and stable household, can marry an infinite amount of times while mine cannot marry once,” Smith said.
Washington State has had a domestic partnership law since 2007 and an “everything but marriage” law since 2009.
Same-sex marriages are legal in the following states:
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- New York
- Connecticut
- Iowa
- District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)
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