(Seattle, Washington) Telling a state court that same-sex couples in Washington need the protections and security that marriage provides, Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women's Law Center filed court papers Friday seeking a prompt ruling in the case without a trial.
Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women's Law Center filed a lawsuit two months ago on behalf of same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in King County, (story) arguing that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates the state Constitution's guarantees of equality, liberty and privacy for all Washingtonians.
The case was the first of its kind to be filed in Washington since the Massachusetts high court ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to full marriage under that state's Constitution.
"Today, we're telling the court that the legal issues in this case are clear. Couples in Washington shouldn't have to wait through a long legal process to get the protections they need, and that only marriage can provide," said Jennifer C. Pizer, Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Western Regional Office.
"This case seeks full marriage for lesbian and gay couples in Washington ? nothing more and nothing less."
Attorneys for King County and Washington State have agreed to respond promptly to today's motion for summary judgment in the case. Lambda Legal and the Northwest Women's Law Center are asking the court to hold oral argument and to decide the case quickly after the briefs are filed.
Yesterday, Lambda Legal filed appeal papers in its lawsuit seeking marriage equality for same-sex couples in New Jersey (story), putting that state at the front of the line for an answer on marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
In New York, Lambda Legal represents five same-sex couples seeking the right to marry. (story) Together with NCLR and the ACLU, Lambda Legal is also representing ten couples in California seeking the right to marry (and working to ensure that marriages of same-sex couples in San Francisco earlier this year are respected).
"Since that first day in San Francisco when lesbian and gay couples began getting married, the nation has again been asked whether it's really fair to deny marriage to loving couples and whether anyone else is really harmed when these couples get married," said Pizer.
"In Washington, same-sex couples can see that just to their north, in Canada, their relationships can be fully respected, but they are treated like legal strangers at home. Our clients pay taxes in Washington, and they want to take their vows in Washington," she said
Until Massachusetts begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in
10 days, there is no place where same-sex couples can get married in the United States, as officials in San Francisco; Portland, Oregon; New Paltz, New York; and Sandoval County, New Mexico, were all ordered to stop issuing licenses to same-sex couples. But Canada has been issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples since last summer.
Washington is among 38 states with laws explicitly prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying.
Legal Decision On Same Sex Marriage Without A Trial Required
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