“Governor Gregoire — front-and-center in her press conference this morning — marched proudly out to join our growing legion on the marriage-equality issue. I welcome and thank the governor for her support.
“Legislation making the right to a gay marriage the law of our state will indeed receive broad and I hope bipartisan support in the 2012 legislative session. The governor sees quite correctly that it’s the couple’s call, not the state’s, when it comes to deciding whether to marry. Our society should strengthen social and legal protections for these mainstream Washington families — men, women and their children who make their homes in every one of our communities and neighborhoods.
“I have long supported the establishment and maintenance of equality for gay, lesbian, and bisexual citizens. We as Washingtonians must pull together for the further establishment of fair, commonsense principles that strengthen the legal and moral partnership rights and benefits of same-sex couples. Our 2012 legislation simply recognizes that nothing is more personal than the decision two human beings make to commit themselves to one another in the genuine article: marriage vows.
“Strong, healthy families promote social stability and prosperous economic growth. Couples who have obtained civil-marriage licenses have committed themselves to one another in heart and mind. The state, then, has a responsibility to establish the legal, ethical and commonsense protections that are realized through a bona-fide marriage contract.
“I’m optimistic that 2012 will be the year when marriage equality becomes a reality.”