State House, Senate pass gay rights bill
By Andrew Garber
Seattle Times staff reporter
OLYMPIA For the first time in state history, the Senate and the
House passed a gay rights bill today.
Gov. Christine Gregoire says she'll sign the legislation, but some
lawmakers were anticipating a possible referendum to ask voters to
overturn the law.
The Senate passed the bill 25-23. The House passed the measure
61-37 a short time thereafter.
"I'm very happy. You know this is about so many people who worked
so hard for so long," said Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, who has
sponsored for the gay rights bill for the past several years.
House Bill 2661, which has been around in some form for almost 30
years, passed on a largely partisan vote. Two conservative
Democratic senators, Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam and Tim Sheldon of
Potlatch, Mason County, sided with Republicans. GOP Sen. Bill
Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland joined Democrats. He was the only Republican
supporting the measure.
The Senate vote came after an emotional debate lasting more than an
hour.
Opponents warned the legislation was unneeded, would lead to gay
marriage and force people to hire gays and lesbians against their
religious beliefs.
"This is a very sad day for the state of Washington," said Sen. Val
Stevens, R-Arlington. "We all know it's going to pass."
Sen. Bob Oke, R-Port Orchard, argued the legislation would endorse
homosexuality. "I believe homosexuality is morally wrong," he said,
contending that the Bible views it as "an abomination."
Supporters said the bill is needed to protect gays and lesbians
from discrimination. State law bans discrimination based on race,
sex, religion, marital status, disability and other categories. The
bill would add sexual orientation to that list.
"It's not special privileges. It's merely saying treat me the
same," said Sen. Rosa Franklin, D-Tacoma. "It's extending rights to
a group that has been treated very badly"
Sen. Finkbeiner also spoke in favor of the bill. "What the debate
is about ... is whether it's OK to be gay or lesbian in the state,"
he said. "People don't choose this. People don't chose who they
love. The heart chooses."
Democrats have been saying for several months that they expected
the measure to pass this session. Their confidence seemed to grow
with each passing week. There was spontaneous applause in the
observation galleries after the bill passed.
Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said opponents weren't likely to
give up their fight.
"Emotions run high, and I think it's very realistic that there will
be a referendum," he said. For his part, Murray was savoring the
victory. But he also acknowledged the possibility of gay rights
going before voters.
"It's a moment of joy," he said. "I realize there are people who
disagree with us. I just hope, before they reach for a pen to sign
an initiative they'll reach for the phone and call somebody who's
gay or lesbian and talk to them first."