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Gov. Gregoire Endorses Marriage Equality
This week, Washington Governor Chris Gregoire announced she will introduce a bill to legalize marriage equality. Gregoire, a Catholic, said she's always felt conflicted about same sex marriage for religious reasons, but came to believe it was discrimination:
We applaud the generations before us for their wisdom and for their courage to fight for equality. Now it's our time. It's this generation's call to end discrimination ... against our gay and lesbian citizens.
The bill would not force religious institutions to perform same-sex marriages.
Recent polling has shown increased support in Washington state. In October, the University of Washington released a study that showed 55 percent of residents would support a Legislature-approved same-sex marriage law.
The legislature begins its 2012 session on Monday and will attempt to find $1.5 billion in cuts. Sen. Joe Zarelli warned that the marriage equality bill would create discord among lawmakers trying to pass a balanced budget because culturally, "it tears people apart."
Do you live in Washington? Do you support the Governor's decision and timing? Would you support a Legislature-approved same-sex marriage law?
GUESTS:
- Eli Sanders: Associate editor at The Stranger
- Laurie Jinkins: Washington state representative (D-Tacoma)
- Joseph Backholm: Executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington
Tagged as: gay rights · marriage
Photo credit: rauchdickson / Creative Commons
