Demand that Washington Pass Gay Marriage Bill

On Valentine's Day of this year, Washington State Senator Ed Murray introduced marriage equality bill SB 5793.

Since the passing of the federal anti-LGBT "Defense of Marriage Act" in 1996, Washington has been making slow but sure progress towards equal rights. Gay and lesbian families now enjoy the same state spousal rights as any heterosexual married couple in the state of Washington, but are still denied the right to the term "marriage".

The slow integration of equal rights in Washington has Senate LGBT allies hopeful for the passing of SB 5793, a bill that "ends discrimination in marriage based on gender and sexual orientation in Washington." Advocates of the bill say that it will protect religious freedom by allowing clergy and religious institutions to determine which marriages to perform and recognise, as well as maintaining the option of a "domestic partnership".

The LGBT community has waited for marriage equality far too long, and Washington legislators have the chance to take a stand for them. SB 5793 will soon be up for a vote in the Washington State Senate. Urge them to pass the bill and legalize marriage for the LGBT community.