Democrat governor Chris Gregoire voiced her support for gay marriage legislation on Wednesday, saying that she proposes to introduce legislation allowing gays and lesbians the right to legally marry in the state.
“It is time in Washington state for marriage equality, it’s the right thing to do… 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… 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. 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.”
Currently only six states in the U.S. explicitly allow gay marriage: New York, Massachusetts, Conneticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa.
Although the Democrats hold majorities in both of Washington state’s legislative chambers, a bill is not certain to pass through as not all Democrats are in agreement on the subject.
