Gay Rights Bill Passes Washington Senate

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/01/012706waRts.htm

The Washington state Senate voted 25-23 Friday to pass an LGBT civil rights bill that ends a 30 year struggle by gays.

The legislation adds "sexual orientation" to a state law that already bans discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, religion and marital status.

The measure passed the House last week and now moves to Gov. Chris Gregoire for signing.

"It's a moment of joy," Rep. Ed Murray (D-Seattle), the bills sponsor said after the Senate vote. Murray has been pushing for a decade to get the legislation passed.

A similar bill failed in the Senate last year. The deciding vote was cast by Sen. Bill Finkbeiner (R-Kirkland)

[baby_mouse]

1. ?

Oh.

How unexpected.

[transeo]

3. It has failed for every year for over 20 years

Most recently last year. So this actually was not a sure thing.

:toast:

[Duncan Grant]

2. Thank you, Representative Murray!

Congrats! :woohoo:

Representative Murray's homepage: http://hdc.leg.wa.gov/members/murray/

[terrya]

4. Congratulations to Washington state gays and lesbians!

From someone who lives in Illinois...where a gay rights bill FINALLY was passed and signed into law last year after decades of frustration...I offer my congratulations!

Woo-hoo! :bounce:

[insleeforprez]

5. Yippee

The time has come for those of us in Washington state.

And Gregoire, obviously, will sign this into law very punctually. Great news this is.

Oh, and watch out for those 10 shares of Microsoft that the other guys aree gonna try to sell strategically. Idiots.

[TaleWgnDg]

6. MSFT, Boeing, HP, Nike plus further resources re this law

.

A similar bill failed in the Senate last year. The deciding vote was cast by Sen. Bill Finkbeiner (R-Kirkland)

Finkbeiner's opposition to the legislation in the Senate came after Microsoft, the state's biggest company, pulled its support when an evangelical pastor threatened a nationwide boycott of the firm.

The Rev. Ken Hutcherson met with Microsoft officials in the weeks leading up to the 2005 vote. (story) The company said the meeting did not influence its decision, but following outrage from civil rights activists it reversed course and it would support the legislation if it came up again for a vote.

. . . snip . . .

This time, Microsoft joined Boeing Co., Hewlett Packard Co. and Nike Inc. in signing a letter earlier this month urging passage of the legislation.

. . . more at . . . http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/01/012706waRts.htm
(bold-faced type added by TaleWgnDg)
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For further resource material, try these hyperlinks in the JURIST NEWS article:

Washington Senate approves gay civil rights bill

Jeannie Shawl, JURIST NEWS, Friday, January 27, 2006, at 3:39 PM ET

(JURIST NEWS) The Washington State Senate (official website) on Friday passed a landmark gay civil rights bill (HB 2661 text, .pdf format AdobeReader® required; additional materials) that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, lending and employment. The legislation was approved by the House (Post-Intelligencer report) last week, but was amended in the Senate and must go back to the House for final approval, which is expected later Friday. Gov. Christine Gregoire (official website) has indicated that she will sign the legislation. Supporters of the measure have been trying to get a version of the bill passed for almost 30 years. Opponents say that the bill is unnecessary and could lead to same-sex marriage (JURIST news archive). Approval of the legislation would make Washington the 17th state in the nation with an anti-discrimination law that covers sexual orientation. The Seattle Times has more.

5:40 PM ET - The Washington House has now approved the amended Senate version of the bill - adding that the legislature does not endorse homosexuality and that the law does not supersede state law on marriage - and has sent the measure to the Governor for signature, expected next Tuesday. AP has more.

. . . more at . . . http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/01/washington-senate-approves-gay-civil.php
.

Passed both Washington state legislative houses. Now, it'll go forward for a signature by Governor Gregoire on Tuesday!
Here's to the State of Washington . . .
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