“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.
