Gay Marriage in Washington State (Seattle: move to, bill, best)

[lentzr]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/us...arriage&st=nyt

This is an article from the NYTimes claiming that there is now more of a real possibility that gay marriage will be approved soon in Washington state. They may not have the votes yet, but the article suggests that they might soon will. What do you all think will happen within the next year or so?

Please do not debate the issue of gay marriages. That can done in other forums. Please stick to whether or not Washington state will approve it or not (along with the general reaction from the state); especially based on individuals aspects pertaining to Washington state.

[Inkpoe]

The only reason why the "everything but the marriage" bill passed was because the politicians at the time were saying that the State Constitution already defined marriage as b/w a man and a woman and that this was only good option for Gay people. All the politicians could say was, "Oh our hands are tied (by the State Constitution), but hey we do support civil unions for gay people." So the "everything but the marriage" bill passed... all with good intentions, which Gregoire is now completely ignoring. I find it abominable that NOW Gregoire "sees the light" and put down the "everything but the marriage" as being equivalent to "separate but equal" (when she was one of those politicians that supported the concept). I do think she's looking for that one positive issue to be the legacy of her tenure as Governor. Unfortunately, this is the best that the Gay Community can and will accept.

I believe there's an issue with the wording of the bill, but once they get that fixed... I think Gay Marriage will pass with the same percentage that the "everything but the marriage" bill had, give or take a just few votes.

[Seacove]

I would think Western Washington would support it with less support from Eastern Washington. I haven't seen any polls though and wouldn't want to be unfair to Eastern Washington.

[backdrifter]

I honestly think it has a good chance of passing. I'm cautiously optimistic about it. I am more confident, however, that it would a referendum on it would pass.

To inkpoe: I believe the governor when she says it's been an evolution for her on the issue. I know a lot of folks who feel the same way she does with the whole conflict of religion, etc. They have gone down the same course to eventually support marriage equality. It does help that she is not up for re-election, but I don't believe that's all or even most of the story there.

[Ira500]

I'm thinking it won't get through the state senate. It will pass in the state house, but I think the state senate is a little more conservative. It will be close.

[TonyVaz1009]

It only needs one more vote, and there are what, 6 undecided left? Looks like a repeat of New York.

If (when) it passes, I'll be even more proud to be originally from the great state of Washington!

[hamellr]

It's going to pass, it's only a matter of when at this point.

Once that happens, I'm sure Oregon will follow and then we'll see a cascading effect over the decade afterwords as the rest of the US does the same. In 50 years nobody will think twice about it other then as a foot note in history books, right along side the mention of laws that kept blacks and whites from marrying.

[TonyVaz1009]

Originally Posted by hamellr

...we'll see a cascading effect...

I see what you did there.

[Seacove]

Very proud of Washington State

Local News | Gay marriage in Washington: Legislature has the votes | Seattle Times Newspaper

Gay Marriage in Washington: Legislature has the votes

The Washington state Legislature has enough votes to pass legislation legalizing same-sex marriage.

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by Seacove

Very proud of Washington State

Local News | Gay marriage in Washington: Legislature has the votes | Seattle Times Newspaper

Gay Marriage in Washington: Legislature has the votes

The Washington state Legislature has enough votes to pass legislation legalizing same-sex marriage.

And soon the fight will, sadly, move to the ballot...