Washington senate passes gay rights vote

[Barrett808]

OLYMPIA, Wash. - A gay civil rights measure has passed the state Senate, capping a 30-year battle.

The bill passed on a mostly partyline 25 to 23 vote. A lone Republican, former GOP Leader Bill Finkbeiner, joined 24 majority Democrats in favor of the plan. Democrats Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch voted against the plan.

The measure adds “sexual orientation” to a state law that bans discrimination in housing, employment and insurance. Sixteen states have passed similar laws for gays and lesbians.

The state House plans to adopt Senate amendments to its original bill and send it to Governor Gregoire for signing later today.

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_012706WABgayrightsvoteLJ.43b041bc.html

[uppityperson]

1. woohoo!!! Good news for today. Thanks.

[Zenlitened]

2. Hats off to the good folks of Washington!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

3. Woohoo! Thank you Washington State!

:grouphug:

[kevinbgoode]

4. It's about TIME

And naturally, it was the christo-fascist Republicans who attempted, once again, to deny protections in housing, employment and insurance. Their arguments, repeatedly based on their own CHOSEN religious belief, never seem to include any justification for their own determination that THEY are entitled to these same protections based on nothing more than their chosen religious beliefs.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Isn't it totally disgusting

that anyone would be in favor of discrimination based on someone's sex life? "Conservatives" are pure fucking evil garbage. Congratulations to the Washington Senate.

[marmar]

10. Exactly....

It's great that they passed it, but this shouldn't even be up for debate. The protection of human rights should be a no-brainer.

[dbackjon]

6. Awesome.....

Is there a list of the progressive states?

[flamingyouth]

7. About freaking time.

It's shameful it's taken this long but I'm glad it's finally passed. Finally.

[LisaM]

8. Excellent news!

I'm proud to live her with this new law and I am really happy that Dino Rossi was not able to steal the election.

Dori Monson will probably blow up.

[fortyfeetunder]

20. Dori Monson imploded today

He was a raving lunatic all afternoon.

[VaYallaDawg]

9. Good for Washington State!

We, on the other hand in VA, are getting ready to go thru one of those stinky gay marriage fights - repub-majority legislature is introducing a bill to ban gay marriage in Virginia. And of course, everybody knows that the biggest problem facing our state is all those pesky gay people trying to get married. :sarcasm:

[saigon68]

22. And don't also forget ---- those "TRAMPS" trying to get abortions.

</sarcasm>

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. another link from KATU2 Portland

January 27, 2006
Senate passes gay civil rights bill in Washington state



OLYMPIA, Wash. - A gay civil rights measure has passed the state Senate, capping a 30-year battle.
The bill passed on a mostly partyline 25 to 23 vote.

A lone Republican, former GOP Leader Bill Finkbeiner, joined 24 majority Democrats in favor of the plan.

Democrats Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch voted against the plan.

The measure adds "sexual orientation" to a state law that bans discrimination in housing, employment and insurance. Sixteen states have passed similar laws for gays and lesbians.

more - http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=82863

[BOHICA06]

12. Through Legislative Action ... not Judical Fiat.

The way it should be done!

[regnaD kciN]

19. Yes, but...

...I'd be willing to lay odds that the religious reich will have a ballot initiative repealing it by next year.

Washington is a referendum-happy state; virtually every election features a horde of propositions and initiatives on all sorts of "hot-button" issues. At this point, I'd guess it would be about 50-50 whether such a repeal would pass.

[degreesofgray]

Washington State House, Senate Pass Gay Rights Bill

OLYMPIA — For the first time in state history, the Senate and the House passed a gays 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.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002766424_webcivilrights27.html

I'm happy to see my home state join the 21st Century!

[sarcasmo]

13. If a 43 and his Regime pass an anti gay bill doesn't that trump the State?

[Barrett808]

14. Might be a situation similar to medical marijuana

That's certainly proven to be interesting.

[Spazito]

15. WTG Washington State!

Congrats to all Washington State DUers, you have a government to be proud of!

[Charlie Brown]

WA passes gay rights bill

http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=4847

A gay civil rights measure passed the state Senate on Friday, a major victory for gay rights activists who have watched the measure fail in the Legislature for nearly 30 years.

The bill passed on a 25-23 vote, with a lone Republican joining majority Democrats.

The measure adds “sexual orientation” to a state law that bans discrimination in housing, employment and insurance. Sixteen states have passed similar laws for gays and lesbians; six of those states have passed laws for transgendered people.

Because the bill was amended this week in the Senate, it now goes back to the House, which has said it would agree with the changes. It could be on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s desk by the end of the day, and the Democratic governor is expected to sign it into law.

[samhsarah]

16. Woo Hoo Washington!!!!

Isn't it sad when we have to cheer on a state that chooses not to treat some of the people who live there as second class citizens? This should be the norm, not the exception.

[ClayZ]

17. The Evergreen State is BLUE! That's my state!

YAY..... WASHINGTON!

[NMMNG]

18. Woo Hoo!

Only 34 more to go....

[karlrschneider]

21. If it didn't rain so darn much, I'd move to WA in a heartbeat.

:D

I go there often, have many friends there too and I'm kidding about the rain...it's just that I have other reasons to need to stay in Oklahoma.
One of which is to attempt to educate the many idiots here.