Washington State Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire announced Wednesday that she will support a bill legalizing gay marriage in the state of Washington.
Speaking Wednesday, the Washington state Democrat said she will introduce legislation that, if passed, would allow same-sex marriage in Washington state.
“It’s time, it’s the right thing to do, and I will introduce a bill to do it,” Ms. Gregoire said. “I say that as a wife, a mother, a student of the law, and above all a Washingtonian with a lifelong commitment to equality and freedom. Some say domestic partnerships are the same as marriage. That’s a version of the discriminatory ‘separate but equal’ argument.”
The state has attempted to pass measures legalizing gay marriage in the state, but to no avail. Ms. Gregoire, a Democrat in the final year of her second term, is backing legislation that is expected to be introduced before the Washington state legislature, which reconvenes next week.
Ms. Gregoire’s statement means the state of Washington is likely to join a growing number of state’s legalizing gay marriage. The state of New York passed similar legislation in 2011, making it the sixth state to support such a proposal. Upwards of 40 states have explicitly banned gay marriage.
The Washington state Democrat said that the issue was primarily an issue of fairness. Speaking Wednesday, Ms. Gregoire urged state lawmakers to support the proposal would is likely to face Republican opposition later this year.
“Our gay and lesbian families face the same hurdles as heterosexual families — making ends meet, choosing what school to send their kids to, finding someone to grow old with, standing in front of friends and family and making a lifetime commitment,” said Ms. Gregoire. “For all couples, a state marriage license is very important. It gives them the right to enter into a marriage contract in which their legal interests, and those of their children if any, are protected by well-established civil law.”
