February 1, 2012 in News

Same-sex marriage bill passes Senate

By The Spokesman-Review
 
Tags:2012 Washington Legislaturegay marriagesame-sex marriagesenate

OLYMPIA — The Senate passed a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry in Washington on a 28-21 vote, sending legislation to the House where it is almost assured of passage.

Supporters say the legislation could be on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s desk by the middle of next week; Gregoire has said she will sign it.

After about an hour and 20 minutes of sometimes emotional debate, the Senate passed the bill with additional protections for religious organizations to refuse to perform ceremonies or solemnize marriages of same-sex couples. Other accepted amendments also underscored the rights of some religious-based organizations that handle adoptions or place children in foster care not to be protected from civil claims.

Supporters defeated, however, an amendment that would have required the bill to be placed on the November and receive voter approval.

Opponents are likely to gather the signatures necessary to do that, they acknowledged.

If a referendum is filed and the signatures are gathered, the law wouldn’t go into effect unless it passes in November and those results are certified by the state. That would mean the earliest same-sex couples could be married would be in December.

If opponents don’t gather enough signatures to place the bill on the ballot, it would become law in early June.

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12 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • Bruce (aka thatoneguy) on February 01 at 8:28 p.m.

    Yay!

  • jdspokanewa on February 01 at 8:33 p.m.

    I’m sure there are enough bigots in this state to prevent it from becoming law in June, let’s hope there are more than enough non-bigots to allow it to pass in November, I know I’ll be doing all I can to get people to vote in favor of equal protection and equal rights.

  • misjustice on February 01 at 8:44 p.m.

    I will do my part to ensure that the issue NEVER gets on a ballot…

    Marriage equality for ALL citizens!

    And that is from a hetro woman that has ZERO interest in marrying. Marriage is a great institution; I just don’t want to be institutionalized!
    ; )

  • liberal_in_right_wing_land on February 01 at 9:25 p.m.

    Good news, this is a good day for people who believe in equal rights for everyone, however, I think we all realize this will probably be on the ballot in November.

    If/when this does make it to the ballot in November I believe the voters in Washington will still allow gay marriage to become law as we passed the domestic partnership law a few years ago fairly easily (53%-47%) and public opinion has only increased in favor of gay marriage since then.

  • misjustice on February 01 at 10:02 p.m.

    Good point, LIRWL…I also believe that the support is there for marriage equality; especially with the large liberal population base on the west side!
    ; )

    Yeah!

  • catfuzz on February 01 at 10:13 p.m.

    I now look forward to the day when I can marry my car. I love my car and I want to marry her. Where’s my new law?

  • paulti on February 01 at 10:28 p.m.

    Catfuzz when your car can think for itself, communicate an agreement with you and sign the license…. Plus get a state senator or rep to introduce it to the house and if it passes then you could marry your car. While you’re waiting at least you can enjoy rubbing up against it while you’re washing it.

  • Ed Byrnes on February 01 at 10:42 p.m.

    This is a great day for liberty and equality in Washington.

    I am with MisJ about being straight and preferring not to live in an institution, yet I believe that same sex couples who want to should be able to.

    Ed

  • liberal_in_right_wing_land on February 01 at 11:20 p.m.

    catfuzz, you don’t help your side with comments like that.

  • jdspokanewa on February 02 at 2:18 a.m.

    catfuzz, can your car legally declare it’s love for you? If not, you’re a rapist.

  • oneanddone on February 02 at 4:49 a.m.

    Rome burns while the legislature ignores issues that matter.

  • larry_b on February 02 at 5:36 a.m.

    GOOD FOR THEM! Now maybe we can attack the real problems in this State (ie) jobs or lack of, taxes, economy, etc. etc.

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