Brody's Notes... Washington Governor Chris Gregoire Signs Same-Sex marriage Bill

Staff  & Wire Service Reports

 Governor Chris Gregoire 

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON -- Washington Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law Senate Bill 6239, the measure passed last week by the legislature that legalises same-sex marriage, making Washington the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry. As Governor Gregoire signed the bill into law surrounded by LGBTQ Equality Rights activists and supporters she told the audience; "I'm proud our same-sex couples will no longer be treated as separate but equal."

The law, which takes effect June 7, is being decried by anti-gay forces, some of whom plan to file a referendum challenge Monday afternoon that could stay the law from taking affect pending the outcome of a November ballot initiative vote.

The ceremony which was held in the main public reception room at the Capitol was packed with hundreds of LGBTQ activists and at least 40 lawmakers from both bodies of the legislature.

State Senator Ed Murray,(D-Seattle) who is openly gay and a sponsor of numerous bills advocating for gay rights told the boisterous audience "My friends, welcome to the other side of the rainbow. No matter what the future holds, nothing will take this moment in history away from us."

As the Governor signed the legislation, Bob Struble, 68, of Bremerton shouted, "Do not betray Christ!" Struble was removed from the room and given a warning by Capitol Police. Struble said he believes the state will halt gay marriage in a public vote. "We'll be doing everything we can to overturn this unfortunate law," he said.

Gregoire's signature comes nearly a week after a federal appeals court declared California's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, saying it was a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples.

Washington state has had domestic partnership laws since 2007, and in 2009 passed an "everything but marriage" expansion of that law, which was ultimately upheld by voters after a referendum challenge.

Opponents said they would file a ballot challenge after Gregoire signed the measure that would require voters in November to either uphold or overturn the law. If the referendum gets enough signatures by June 6 the law is put on hold pending the outcome of a November vote.

"I think in the end, people are going to preserve marriage," said Joe Fuiten, senior pastor at Cedar Park Church in Bothell who is involved in the referendum effort. ~ The Associated Press

Same-sex marriage is legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C.