At a Tipping Point: Marriage equality in Washington state
on December 6th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Governor Gregoire at her January 4 press conference announcing marriage equality legislation
On January 4, 2012, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire announced historic legislation for marriage equality in Washington state. If approved, Washington will become 7th state in nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
“It’s time, it’s the right thing to do, and I will introduce a bill to do it,” Gregoire said. “I say that as a wife, a mother, a student of the law, and above all as 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.”
One of the many reasons that I love working at Pride Foundation is commitment to our values of activism and leadership, and right now in Washington State, we as a community and as Pride Foundation are faced with the opportunity to live both of these values out in a BIG way.
You may have heard, a few weeks back, about the launch of a state-wide coalition called Washington United for Marriage. Washington United is a coalition of organizations,
congregations, unions, and business associations working together to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples. The coalition is being led by some of our state’s and country’s best and brightest human rights organizations including the ACLU of Washington, Equal Rights Washington, Faith Action Network, Freedom to Marry, GSBA, Human Rights Campaign, Legal Voice, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest, SEUI775 and UFCW21.
Do you support marriage equality?
Pride Foundation is extremely proud to be involved at a leadership level with these organizations and literally dozens of our own grantees from across the state. We know that the issue of marriage equality is critical to many of our closest friends, family members and loved ones, and it is incredible to be at a tipping point to make Washington State the first west coast state that recognizes same-sex marriages.
Over the coming months, Pride Foundation, along with the partners listed above and the growing list organization on both sides of the mountains to raise the awareness of why now is the time for our community to make a stand for equality. Marriage is about respect, dignity, love and commitment and we will work together to make sure that our family, friends, neighbors and elected officials understand that this issue matters to the LGBTQ community and our allies as well.
If you would like to get involved with the movement to make marriage equality a reality by telling your story, volunteering at a phone bank or writing to your legislator – please visit the Washington United website. Additionally, if you would like to get engaged with Pride Foundation to learn more about our advocacy efforts across all five of our northwest states please let us know.
Watch Gov. Gregoire’s January 4 press conference.
