Gay marriage bill unveiled in Senate

Sat., Jan. 14, 2012

Rachel La Corte Associated Press

OLYMPIA – A measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington was introduced Friday in the Senate, where the measure was just two votes shy of having enough support to pass.

The bill, requested by Gov. Chris Gregoire, is sponsored by Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, a gay lawmaker who has led the fight for gay civil rights and domestic partnerships.

A total of 25 votes are needed for passage in the Senate. Even though 22 other senators signed on to the bill in support, including two Republicans, Murray played down expectations.

“I am two votes short,” he said. “This is as likely not to happen as to happen. At this point, it’s a very personal decision for the members.”

Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, committed her vote Friday to approve the measure after initially saying she was leaning in favor of support but unwilling to commit to it.

McAuliffe, who is one of the co-signers on the bill, said the legislation is long overdue.

In a tally by the Associated Press, three Democratic members who have previously cast votes against expanding options for gay couples – Sens. Brian Hatfield of Raymond, Jim Kastama of Puyallup and Paull Shin of Edmonds – have said they’re weighing the issue but haven’t yet decided how to vote.

Murray has insisted that he will not support adding a referendum clause to the bill, saying minority rights should not be decided at the ballot.

The two Republican senators who support gay marriage are Steve Litzow of Mercer Island and Cheryl Pflug of Maple Valley. Two first-term Republicans representing suburban districts – Sens. Joe Fain of Auburn and Andy Hill of Redmond – left open the possibility of supporting the bill, saying they want to discuss the issue with constituents. They have declined to say whether they were leaning in any direction.

The first public hearing on the bill is expected on Jan. 23.

Washington state has had a domestic partnership law since 2007. The measure benefited from momentum from a gay civil rights law that passed the previous year.

A so-called “everything but marriage” bill was passed in 2009, greatly expanding that law. Opponents later challenged it at the ballot box, but voters upheld the law.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.