In 1998, The Defense of Marriage Act was enacted into law. It is a United States Federal Law that defined marriage between one man and one woman.
In July of 2006 the Washington Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the state legislature is permitted under the WA state constitution to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples. While the DOMA was upheld, the court noted that its ruling did not prevent the legislature from challenging the state law to allow same-sex marriage.
In July, 2007 the legislature created limited domestic partnerships (Andersen vs. King Co.) which conferred 11 of the rights of marriage to same sex couples.
In July, 2007-Initiative 957 was proposed by the WA Defense of Marriage Alliance in opposition to Andersen vs. King Co. Lawmakers backing the domestic partnership legislation have been open in stating that their ultimate goal is to expand marriage laws to include same-sex couples and they see the creation and expansion of domestic partnership as steps toward that goal. Civil Marriage Equality bills have been introduced to that end. Initiative 957 would put one part of Andersen vs. King Co. decision into law by making procreation a requirement for all marriages in WA state.
The initiative was struck down due to too few signatures to qualify for the November, 2007 ballot.
In May, 2009- Senate bill 5688- the "everything but marriage" bill amended many state laws and placed domestic partnerships on an equal footing as civil marriage. This bill was sponsored in the Senate by gay activist Rep. Ed Murray from the 43rd Congressional Dist. and in the House by gay activist Rep. Jamie Pedersen also from the 43rd dist. as well as Maureen Walsh from the 14th dist.
This law survived an electoral challenge through Referendum 71 with a 53% to 47% vote.
In April 2011 Gov. Gregoire signed into law treating out-of-state same-sex couples as domestic partnerships.
In February 2012- SB 6239-concerning civil marriage and domestic partnerships- legalized same-sex marriages and reversed the DOMA put in place in 1998. The language also converts most domestic partnerships not dissolved within 2 years into civil marriages. The language also includes the disturbing distinction of male/ female instead of man/woman taking out the humanity of civil marriages and opening the door to "other than human domestic partnerships".
Presently, WE the People have begun the process of over turning such a disgusting law through the petition process which we hope will put a referendum on the ballot in November.
Personally, I have no problem with gay persons and given the rights and priviledges afforded them in this state, I don't understand why this law was introduced. They have all the priviledges that marriage affords-EVERYTHING!!!!!!
To me, this law thumbs its nose at God and says: you don't exist.
God is the ONE who instituted marriage between Adam and Eve, NOT Adam and Steve.
This perversion of God's Word makes me angry enough to offend the gay electorate of this state, which I never wanted to do, but the actions of this legislature and their supporters put me in this position.
I will FIGHT this to the bitter end because I love and serve an awesome God who gave us standards to live by.
This state legislature walks all over these standards in the name of "tolerance" and "compassion" and "political correctedness".
