Politics & Government

Shoreline Council Supports Gay Marriage

Openly gay Mayor Keith McGlashan makes announcement of support of marriage equality on behalf of Council

At Monday night's Shoreline City Council meeting, Mayor Keith McGlashan announced that the City Council had decided to support the movement for marriage equality in the state of Washington.

With the support of democrat Mary Margaret Haugen, the state Senate has enough votes to pass a bill on gay marriage. The House already has enough votes and Governor Chris Gregoire is supporting it. The voters in the state of Washington will likely get to vote on a referendum to allow gay marriage in November.

McGlashan, an openly gay man and board member of the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Local Officials Committee (GLBLO), said he was "excited" by the news.

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"I never thought I’d see it my lifetime," he said. "I’m excited to see the votes in the Senate."

McGlashan sent the following letter to the 32nd Legislative District legislators and the mayor of Tacoma on behalf of the Council:

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The Honorable Maralyn Chase

The Honorable Ruth Kagi

The Honorable Cindy Ryu

Dear Senator and Representatives:

On behalf of the City of Shoreline City Council, We proudly stand together in support of the freedom of same sex couples to marry. We personally know many gay and lesbian people living in our community who are in committed, long-term relationships, who are active participants in the civic life of our communities, and who deserve to be able to marry the person with whom they share their life.

Our City derives great strength from our diversity, of which gay and lesbian families are a crucial part. Studies have shown what we know through our hands­on experience that cities that celebrate and cultivate diversity are the places where creativity and ideas thrive. They are the places Where t0day’s entrepreneurs are most likely to choose to build the businesses of tomorrow. Allowing same sex couples the right to marry enhances our ability to build this kind of environment, which is good for all of Washington.

The freedom to marry enhances the economic competitiveness of our communities, improves the lives of families that call our cities home, and it simply is the right thing to do. We look forward to working with you to make Washington a place where all people can share in the love and commitment of marriage with the person with whom they share their life.

Please support marriage equality in Washington.

Sincerely,

Keith A. McGlashan

Mayor

 

cc: Shoreline Council

Mayor Marilyn Strickland, City of Tacoma

Julie T. Underwood, City Manager


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