Just moments ago, the Washington State House passed a same-sex marriage equality bill 55-43. The bill was debated for just over two hours, and Republicans attempted to attach several anti-gay or hurdle amendments, but those failed, as they did last week when the Washington State Senate passed the bill. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, who initiated the marriage bills, will sign it into law.
Interestingly, no one mentioned yesterday’s Prop 8 decision, which could offer support for their bill.
Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D), who chaired the judiciary committee that brought the bill to the full House floor, delivered and eloquent speech urging passage of the bill.
Overall, opponents of the marriage equality bill spoke vehemently about religion, God, the Bible, Leviticus, and the needs of the economy, completely misunderstanding what the bill was about.
Opponent after opponent of marriage equality relied on religion to express their views, many claiming they “do not judge,” that they “love everyone,” and yet used religion to vote against marriage equality. Unsurprisingly, all the lawmakers who opposed marriage equality thought all Christians opposed marriage equality, and thought all people were Christians. It was not only inappropriate but offensive.
Democratic Rep. Drew Hansen asked, “What if God is doing something new with this?,” as he discussed the fact that many Christians do support marriage equality.
Rep. Jay Rodne (R) said “this issue is not about civil rights, which are enshrined in the constitution… Certainly this issue meets none of those tests.” Rodne added, “I’m not ashamed to say I’m guided in my Catholic faith.”
Other comments by Rodne, who said if the bill passed, “I don’t know if I want to be here.”
“There’s no right to marry a person of the same-sex in our constitution.”
“There’s virtually no legal distinction. There’s co-equal recognition.”
“Are we really going to undermine the institution of marriage because of an inconvenience?”
“This bill is about validation.This bill is about acceptance. The proponents are not going to find validation or acceptance through a law or though marriage.”
“[The bill] severs cultural and historical” aspects of Washington, and “harms children.”
“Through force of law that child will loose one of its biological parents.”
Republican Rep.Norma Smith outright lied in her speech opposing the marriage bill. Terribly offensive.
Republican Rep. Mark Hargrove said no one in his family ever had been through a divorce, but he had two relatives who “died of AIDS.” He then quoted the bible. Hargrove stated that he felt his love required him to to speak against the bill. He claimed that 43% of children have parents who are divorced, so same-sex marriage won’t solve the issue of children from same-sex parents who feel different because their parents aren’t and can’t marry.
Democrat Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney talked about the pain her two gay sons have experienced. “They deserve the same rights that their brothers and sisters have. They do not deserve to be harassed or looked at differently.”
Republican Rep. Jan Angel said, “My lord teaches me to not judge so I do not judge. But this bill isn’t about rights and it isn’t about judgment but it is about the redefinition of traditional marriage.”
Democratic Rep. Marko Liias discussed his same-sex relationship and eloquently reminded his peers that the constitution of Washington already protected people of faith. He also explained the importance of separation of church and state, and added, “voting for this bill is an act of mercy — an act of justice.”
GOP Rep. Jason Overstreet said, “we need to thank the God that even allows us to be here.”
Our sincere congratulations to the good people of Washington who today have brought Washington closer to equality.