The legislature of Washington State has passed an equal rights bill that would allow LGBTQI citizens to marry and receive all the legal benefits of marriage. Governor Gregoire is expected to sign the bill this week. However, the effects of the bill are expected to be postponed because opponents are hoping to gather enough signatures to get a referendum on the issue in November.
For me, legalizing equality in marriage is a civil rights issue. Married people have certain rights, benefits, and expectations that only come with the legal act of marriage. It is simply wrong to deny any person legal equality - that is what our Constitution is supposed to be about - all people are created equal. All people should be treated equally under the law.
Legalizing equality in marriage is not going to destroy marriage. It can only make the institution stronger. Rather than deny people equality, we need to work to strengthen the entire concept of marriage and what it means to be married - the expectations, the working out of issues, the ability to compromise. I would rather see classes taught on how to BE married than worry about nonexistent problems. The real concern with marriage in our society is that few of us know how to do it well. This is what we need to have a referendum on - not equality issues.
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