Jordan
Facebook
You may recall that my position on New York's marriage equality push was negative to say the least, and that position still stands until New York State gets its sh*t together. However, I am jumping for joy that marriage equality in Washington State is all but inevitable.
From Washington Governor Christine Gregoire's twitter:
Thank you to the Washington State House--a civil, respectful debate on marriage equality. And a 55-43 vote! Next stop, my desk!
This makes Washington state the first on the west coast to legalize gender neutral marriage through legislative (rather than judicial) action, but what also makes me even more happy is that Washington State marks a major first, the first time a legislature passed a marriage equality bill AFTER full sexual orientation-gender identity anti-discrimination was passed, having passed it in 2006, albeit with a higher number of legislators in the house supportive.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Iowa got marriage equality through court decisions, the latter two having gender identity protections AT THE TIME of legalization (Connecticut would come later), while the only two states to legislate marriage equality into law until now, New Hampshire and New York, did not, and still do not, have gender identity protections, which is why I am hoping that until both states pass gender identity laws and cover trans health benefits (or do other things for the trans* and the less fortunate of the LGBTQ community), I will be cheering for the repeal of marriage equality in both states.
Furthermore, a perusal of the website of King County, where Seattle is located, indicates that there is a medical clinic, Pike Market, which services trans individuals and takes all health plans, including Medicaid, indicating that Washington state does not have the exclusion that New York state has. Furthermore, Washington state passed a comprehensive anti-bullying law last year and it appears that (at least) Seattle has taken into considerating the issue of homeless youth.
Therefore, I do give my full blessing for the marriage equality bill to become law; they have eaten their ravioli, now they can have some ice cream.
-Jordan Gwendolyn Davis
No Comments.
[Add New Comment]