Gov. Chris Gregoire’s Marriage Equality bill for Washington state now has enough supporters to pass into law.
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen became the 25th supporter on Jan. 23, according to her statement, in essence “ensuring passage.”
“For some people, this is a simple issue,” Haugen said in a statement. “I envy them. It has not been simple or easy for me.”
This announcement came two days after Gregoire proposed Senate Bill 6239, which would create “equality in civil marriage and chang[e] the domestic partnership laws, while protecting religious freedom,” according to the bill, which was proposed on Jan. 16.
Haugen said one of the reasons she is supporting the bill is because it won’t force churches to perform marriages to same sex couples.
“This is the right vote and it is the vote I will cast when this measure comes to the floor,” Haugen said in her statement.
Related articles:
- State Legislature decides future of marriage equality next week
- Frontline: Washington overdue for marriage equality
- Marriage equality bill delayed
- Letter to the Editor: Says supporting gay marriage is supporting love
