Gov. Gregoire to Support Gay Marriage Bill

Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced her support for legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington state, saying that she came to the decision after several years of battling her own uncertainty on the issue.

“I have been on my own journey, I’ll admit that,” Gregoire said at a news conference announcing her support of a legalization bill that will be introduced next week.

In November, a coalition called Washington United for Marriage announced it would lobby the Legislature to approve  gay marriage this year.

Democratic Sen. Ed Murray of Seattle, a gay lawmaker who has spearheaded past gay rights and domestic partnership laws in the state, said the underlying domestic partnership law has helped lay the groundwork for full marriage. Murray and Rep. Jamie Pederson, D-Seattle, introduced the bill.

They said that they would not attach a referendum clause to the bill, which would require the public to ultimately approve the measure if passed by the Legislature.

“We need to take this vote, we need to take it this year, and we need to take it in the Legislature,” Murray said. “It’s time for the Legislature to catch up with the public.”

Murray acknowledged that it would be a tough battle in the Senate, where Democrats hold a 27-22 majority, but where some conservative Democrats have voted with Republicans in opposition to the state’s domestic partnership law. Democrats hold a 56-42 majority in the House, making smooth passage of the bill more likely.  Click here for legislative contact information.