Gay Couples Must Be Allowed To Marry - Washington Court Rules
(Seattle, Washington) A Washington state court Wednesday ruled today same-sex couples must be allowed to marry.
King County Superior Court Judge William Downing said that the state Constitution guarantees basic rights to lesbian and gay people -- and that those rights are violated by a state law prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying.
The case involved eight same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in King County (story)
Downing's ruling went on to say that the couples must be given marriage licenses.
"This is a huge victory and a historic day," said Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal.
The couples were represented by Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women's Law Center.
"The court recognized that unless gay people can marry, we are not being treated equally under the law," said Cathcart.
"Same-sex couples need the protections and security marriage provides, and this ruling says
we're entitled to get them the same way straight couples do."
In his ruling, Judge Downing called the eight couples "law-abiding, taxpaying model citizens," and said, "There is no worthwhile institution that they would dishonor, much less destroy."
In the ruling, Downing also said, "The characteristics embodied by these plaintiffs are ones that our society and the institution of marriage need more of, not less. Let the plaintiffs stand as inspirations for all those citizens, homosexual and heterosexual, who may follow their path."
The county and the state are expected to appeal the ruling, and the Washington state Supreme Court may take the case directly and hear arguments on an expedited basis, according to Lambda Legal.
Jennifer Pizer, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Western Regional Office and one of the lead attorneys on the case said that the state's high court has a recent track record of treating same-sex couples equally.
"We believe that the Washington Supreme Court will look closely at the important issues this case raises and come to the same conclusion the lower court reached," Pizer said.
"Our clients pay all the same taxes as their neighbors and coworkers, and they deserve all the same legal protections."
Judge Downing's ruling goes further than an Oregon state court ruling earlier this year, which said that the state's law prohibiting marriage between same-sex couples was unconstitutional, but went on to say that civil unions or other measures could provide adequate protections to lesbian and gay couples.
"These are Washington State couples who pay Washington State taxes and want Washington State marriage licenses under the Washington State Constitution. Any attempts to turn today's ruling for fairness into a national wedge issue to divide and distract people won't work," Cathcart predicted.
Tuesday, voters in Missouri passed an amendment to that state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage. (story) Voters in Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah also are considering constitutional amendments.
Four states, Alaska, Hawaii, Nebraska, and Nevada already have constitutional amendments banning gay marriage.
Massachusetts is the only state that has legalized same-sex marriage.
http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/08/080404washCourt.htm
This certainly a step in the right direction i think :thumbsup:
Regards,
Lee
