A question that has always puzzled me concerning marriage...

[Liberal Veteran]

Let's assume for the sake of argument that the Supreme Court in Washington State rules that gays be allowed to be issued marriage licenses and I go the next day and have get one and have it witnessed and notarized and submitted.

What happens if the legislature turns around and decides to change the constitution in the state?

Do I stay married or can the legislature legally dissolve my marriage contract?

[benburch]

1. I say you are married.

But I am not a fascist neocon closet-case homophobe judge.

[Liberal Veteran]

3. Well, I certainly "feel" married, regardless.

After 16 years of being together, I can't imagine being without my true love and lifepartner and to me, that is what marriage is about.

[benburch]

8. As an ordaned Pagan priest...

...I'd be happy to marry you any time you like.

To hades with the government's opinion.

[Mabus]

2. There would probably be a provision in the newer bill

that would address the status of marriages conducted and authorized under the auspices of the previous bill. No doubt that provision would be void those marriages.

[liberaltrucker]

4. Don't know about the legalities

But my personal view is HELL YES gay marriage should
be legal. Then you'd be as miserable as the rest of us!

Just kidding. Keep up the fight.

[cally]

5. Honestly. I give up. I can tell you that most of the actrivists are on yo

your side but it's not enough. We'll see. What you can do is make it obvius about phone banks. Make it obvious that's it's an issue..

[jody]

6. Minor point, Washington State's constitution can only be amended by the

people.

QUOTE
ARTICLE XXIII
AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1 HOW MADE.
Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in either branch of the legislature; and if the same shall be agreed to by two-thirds of the members elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be entered on their journals, with the ayes and noes thereon, and be submitted to the qualified electors of the state for their approval, at the next general election; and if the people approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, by a majority of the electors voting thereon, the same shall become part of this Constitution, and proclamation thereof shall be made by the governor: Provided, That if more than one amendment be submitted, they shall be submitted in such a manner that the people may vote for or against such amendments separately. The legislature shall also cause notice of the amendments that are to be submitted to the people to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state: Provided, That failure of any newspaper to publish this notice shall not be interpreted as affecting the outcome of the election.
UNQUOTE

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. The legislature can *not* dissolve your marriage

However, they could certainly propose an amendment that, if approved by the voters of Washington State, would prohibit the recognition of same sex marriages. That would put you and your partner in the odd position of having a perfectly legal marriage that no one is allowed to recognize as valid. That, in turn, would doubtless merit consideration by the United States Supreme Court, which I expect the Legislature would be desperate to avoid.