Community Corner

UPDATE...Gov. Gregoire Signs Gay Marriage Bill. POLL: Gov. Gregoire Expected to Sign Gay Marriage Into Law Today

Washington state will become the seventh state in the union to legalize same-sex marriage if Gov. Gregoire signs the legislation on Monday. Do you think this is something to celebrate or are you opposed?

Update: Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Washington's gay marriage bill into law this morning, surrouned by gay couples, local and national media. 

 "This is a very proud moment," she said, as quoted in the Seattle Times. 

Gregoire, a Catholic, wrestled with the issue for years but finally came around to support it this year. 

Find out what's happening in Shoreline-Lake Forest Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Today’s signature of the marriage equality law puts Washington on the road to fairness for all families,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  “While those opposed to marriage for gay and lesbian couples will no doubt try to undo this progress, I am confident that equality will prevail in Washington.”

---------------

Find out what's happening in Shoreline-Lake Forest Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Legislation that would legalize gay marriage in Washington State is expected to land on Gov. Chris Gregoire's desk on Monday and she plans to sign it.

In a 55-43 vote, the state House approved legislation Wednesday, Feb. 8, legalizing same sex marriage. Tha was a week after the legislation passed the Senate in a 28-21 vote. 

“This is truly a historic day in Washington state, and one where I couldn’t be more proud. With today’s vote, we tell the nation that Washington state will no longer deny our citizens the opportunity to marry the person they love. We tell every child of same-sex couples that their family is every bit as equal and important as all other families in our state. And we take a major step toward completing a long and important journey to end discrimination based on sexual orientation,” she posted on her website after Wednesday's vote. 

Despite the governor's expected signature, the law is likely to come to the voters before it can be enacted. The Olympian newspaper in the state capital reported that the Family Policy Institute of Washington is organizing a campaign to put a law to a vote on the November ballot. The full story is on The Olympian's website.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco struck down 2-1 the California Proposition -- Prop. 8 -- that amended the state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. (Proposition 8 followed a court ruling that exlcuding gays from marriage was against California's state constitution.) That ruling is expected to head to the Supreme Court.

Shoreline and Lake Forest Park's representation in Olympia, 32nd District Reps. Cindy Ryu and Ruth Kagi and Sen. Maralyn Chase all voted in favor of the legislation.

See Evan Smith's column on Tuesday for the reasons why they supported the legislation.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Shoreline-Lake Forest Park