Love Wins In Washington State

JMG reader Matthew sends us this great clip of Gov. Christine Gregoire's speech overlaid with a street celebration as marriage passed in Washington state. Two weeks later and I still can't get enough of these images.

WASHINGTON: Gov. Christine Gregoire Speaks At Marriage Equality Fundraiser

Clip description:

State Representative Jamie Pedersen discusses his involvement in bringing marriage equality to Washington State, and subsequently introduces Governor Christine Gregoire as a huge champion of civil rights and marriage equality. Gov Gregoire shares her story and speaks out in support of APPROVING Referendum 74 at the concert, which also included performances by Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus.

Make sure you listen to Gov. Gregoire describe her encounter with President Obama.

(Tipped by JMG reader Paul)

Gregoire's Letter To Christie

Igor Volsky reports that Christie has not bothered to respond. What a classy guy.

WA Hate Group Reacts To Marriage

(Via - Good As You)

VIDEO: WA Gov. Gregoire Delivers Impassioned Speech & Signs Bill

You won't regret treating yourself to this fantastic bit of LGBT history. Our thanks again to Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire!

(Via JMG reader Brandon)

Washington Marriage Reactions

Washington United

“We thank Gov. Gregoire for her tremendous leadership in passing this landmark legislation,” said Lacey All, Chair of Washington United for Marriage. “From her moving remarks endorsing the legislation to her unwavering courage and commitment throughout the legislative process, the Governor has been a key ally in forming the bipartisan coalition that passed this bill. Without her years of dedication to equality, Washington’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community would not enjoy antidiscrimination protections, domestic partnerships or marriage equality. We owe her our heartfelt gratitude and sincerest thanks.”

Human Rights Campaign

“Today’s signature of the marriage equality law puts Washington on the road to fairness for all families,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “While those opposed to marriage for gay and lesbian couples will no doubt try to undo this progress, I am confident that equality will prevail in Washington.” “This victory was possible thanks to the hard work of so many on the ground in Washington,” said Solmonese. “Our congratulations go to Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, along with Gov. Gregoire, who were incredible leaders in this effort.”

GLAAD

“Today, yet another state has rendered into law what a majority of Americans already know in their hearts: committed couples should be able to marry the person they love. As millions of people celebrate their love this Valentine’s Day, countless gay and lesbian couples in Washington State are finally one step closer to enjoying the vital protections that only marriage can afford.”

Lambda Legal

Governor Christine Gregoire today signed a historic measure into law that ends the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage in Washington. Gov. Gregoire has been a champion of marriage equality this year, and we thank her for her leadership and the many brave members of the state legislature who voted for this bill. We also thank Washington United for Marriage, the coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and business associations that has worked tirelessly to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples.

VIDEO: Signing Of WA Marriage Bill

The ceremony is planned for 11:30am Washington time.

Watch live online here.

WA Gov To Sign Marriage Bill Today And Frothy Mix Will Be There To Protest

(Via Think Progress)

Gov To Sign WA Marriage Bill On Monday

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire will sign her state's marriage equality bill on Monday morning, thereby setting the clock ticking on the rush to collect referendum signatures to block gay marriage at the ballot box.

A statehouse signing ceremony in Olympia, Washington's capital, was slated for 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday. The bill won final legislative approval from the state House of Representatives on Wednesday by a vote of 55-43. The measure will not take effect before early June. Opponents have vowed to seek its repeal at the polls in November, but they cannot begin collecting signatures for a petition to overturn the measure by referendum until it is signed into law.

Washington & Maryland Governors Slam Chris Christie On Marriage Ballot Issue

(Via - Igor Volsky)

Pelosi's SOTU Guests

Noticeably absent: Chris Christie.

(Tipped by JMG reader Brian)

TODAY: Marriage Hearings For WA

Hearings begin today on Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire's marriage equality bill. Both sides are expected to draw thousands of supporters to the state capital.

Big crowds are expected for the hearings on Monday. Stand for Marriage Washington — a loosely organized coalition of conservative lawmakers, well-known evangelical pastors, the Tri-City Tea Party and the Constitution Party of Washington — predicts as many as 10,000 people will flood the Capitol for a noontime rally in opposition to gay marriage. "We have to create among these legislators a belief that they will lose their jobs if they vote to redefine this law," said Joseph Backholm, of Washington Family Policy Institute, a member of the coalition. "We have to convince them to be more afraid of us than of the other side.

NOM has created a $250K bribe fund, a prize package for legislators that vote against civil equality. Another coalition of anti-gay groups is advocating for a state ballot measure that would repeal the bill, should it pass. And in a situation much like we saw in New York, all eyes are on the remaining handful of undecided state legislators.

WA Gov. Chris Gregoire Explains Her Decision To Pursue Gay Marriage

Ken Hutcherson: I'm Being Oppressed!

"As long as the Bible says it's wrong, I'm going to fight against it like it's the last thing I can do. It's no different than any other sin. If someone walked around and said 'We want to be a minority because we are divorcees,' I would fight that just as much. It's going to infringe upon my freedom of religion. Every place this has become the law of the land, you are muzzled about what you can say about the issue of homosexuality." - Anti-gay asshat Pastor Ken Hutcherson, on the coming same-sex marriage bill in Washington state.

RELATED: Hutcherson led the failed Referendum 71 attempt to repeal Washington's "everything but the name" domestic partners law, which was upheld by a slim majority. You may also recall that Hutcherson has led walkouts at public schools in protest of the Day Of Silence and that he issued a bizarre threat should DOMA ever be overturned. In 2010 Hutcherson officiated at Rush Limbaugh's fourth marriage.

WA Gov. Chris Gregoire: I Will Introduce Bill To Make Gay Marriage Happen

"It is now time for our gay and lesbian citizens to be treated equally and that means marriage." - Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire. Story developing, update here in minutes.

UPDATE: The Seattle Times has more.

Gov. Chris Gregoire on Wednesday said she'll put forward legislation to legalize marriage for gay and lesbian couples. The proposal will be introduced during the legislative session that starts Monday. If it's approved, Washington would become the seventh state to legalize gay marriage. "It's time, it's the right thing to do, and I will introduce a bill to do it," Gregoire said in a statement. "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," Gregoire said. "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."

Washington state currently has an "everything but the name" domestic partners law that was upheld in the bitterly contested Referendum 71 battle.

Photo Of The Day

Yesterday Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire signed the official certification enacting Washington's "everything but marriage" law. The law is in effect as of today after being put on hold during the bigoted Referendum 71 fight. Domestic partners in Washington now have all the rights, benefits, and privileges of marriage couples. One of the best wins for the good guys in all of 2009.

Today: Washington Gov. Gregoire To Sign "Everything But Marriage" Bill

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire will sign that state's "everything but marriage" domestic partners bill today. "The bill would give additional spousal rights and benefits to domestic partners, including same-sex couples and unmarried senior heterosexual couples, in various areas of state law."

A referendum to repeal the law is being spearheaded by noted homophobe Gary Randall's Faith and Freedom Network, who are in the middle of a petition drive to get the issue on the November ballot. Equal Rights Washington is countering with a "Decline 2 Sign 71" pledge drive asking voters not to sign the petition.