One step closer...

Washington is one step closer to becoming the seventh state to authorize marriage equality. The Senate voted 28-21 in favor of allowing same-sex unions on Wednesday evening.

SB 6239 sponsored by Sen. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) was approved after 90 minutes of debate on Wednesday. Amendments that strengthened the religious exemption clauses were added to the bill with bi-partisan support. 

Washington currently allows for same-sex couples to register as domestic partners, which provides the same legal benefits as marriage.  However, marriage equality proponents argue domestic partnerships are essentially “separate, but equal” relationships, which historically have proven to be less than equal. For example, during a public hearing on the issue, same-sex couples described difficult and frustrating conversations with hospital staff concerning visitation rights.

You can read more about this historic vote here, here, and here. You can watch the entire floor debate on TVW’s website here.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

One step closer to marriage equality in Washington

Rep. Jamie Pedersen, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and his family testify in favor of HB 2516  

A week ago the House Judiciary Committee heard moving testimony from families, military veterans, religious leaders, and community organizers in favor of House Bill 2516, which would make Washington the seventh state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

This afternoon the equal protection measure cleared a key hurdle when the committee took executive action. 

The HDC has supported Washington’s march toward the establishment and maintenance of equality for gay, lesbian, and bisexual citizens in recent years. This bill builds upon the work already carried out; including the voter-approved Referendum 71, which established domestic partnership laws in our state.

To read this story in Spanish, click here. 

Governor calls on legislators to approve marriage equality

Governor Chris Gregoire made a historic call for marriage equality this morning in Olympia. Joined by Reps. Jamie Pedersen, Marko Liias, and Laurie Jinkins, Gregoire called on the legislature to deliver her a bill legalizing same-sex marriage by the conclusion of the regular legislative session.

“Today, I’m announcing my support for a law that gives same-sex couples in our state the right to receive a marriage license in Washington- the same right given to heterosexual couples,” said Gregoire.

In the past few years alone, House Democrats have taken significant steps to ensure equal protection under the law for gay and lesbians across Washington.  Just two years ago, the legislature passed and voters OK’ed Referendum 71, which expanded rights for same-sex couples but fell short of marriage equality.

Following the governor’s announcement, House Speaker Frank Chopp said “Our caucus has a proud history of supporting equality for all people in Washington. Every family should have the same rights and responsibilities under the law, and I appreciate Governor Gregoire’s support of marriage equality.”

“It’s good for families, it’s good for the state, and it’s the right thing to do,” added Speaker Chopp. 

If signed into law, Washington would be the seventh state in the country to expand full marriage rights to same-sex couples.

You can find the full text of the governor’s speech here, as well as the video here.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.

House approves equal rights for domestic partners

In one of the most closely watched debates of this session, the House this afternoon passed legislation to broaden domestic-partnership rights. Senate Bill 5688, sponsored by Sen. Ed Murray, garnered bipartisan support and will ensure that registered domestic partners receive all of the state law rights and responsibilities of married spouses. Rep. Jamie Pedersen, who sponsored the identical companion bill in the House (HB 1727), led a broad group of supporters who spoke out on the House floor today. The bill now goes to the governor’s desk for her expected approval.

Roughly 5,200 domestic partnerships are registered with the Secretary of State, spanning 278 cities and towns across the entire state in every legislative district. Key rights and obligations in this bill include death benefits for the partners of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty, pension benefits for the partners of teachers and other public employees, the right to adopt a partner’s child without paying for a home study and more.

In total, the bill adds about 280 rights and obligations to the 197 already provided under the exiting domestic partnership law so that state registered domestic partners and married couples are treated the same for all state law purposes. This legislation builds on two previous years of legislation in 2007 and 2008.

House adjorned at 1:15 this morning; due back in at 10:00

After more than three hours of debate that stretched into the wee hours of this morning, the House passed important legislation that sets guidelines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our state (SB 5735). About 20 amendments were offered and the discussion was very heated at times. But ultimately the bill was approved and sent back to the Senate for their consideration of House amendments.

There will be more excitement on the floor today as we debate measures to extend additional rights and responsibilities to registered domestic partners in our state and elect the President of the United States by popular vote.

Stay tuned!