OLYMPIA – A bill providing legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples cleared the Legislature on Tuesday, inching the state closer to a debate on gay marriage.
The measure passed by the House of Representatives gives same-sex couples that register with the state as a domestic partnership a handful of rights traditionally imparted only to married couples.
The bill passed the Senate last month and will now be sent to Gov. Chris Gregoire. She is expected to sign it.
If that happens – and if opponents do not overturn it through referendum – Washington would become the fourth state granting same-sex couples rights denied them today because the relationship is not legally sanctioned.
These include inheritance rights, hospital visitation privileges, health-care decision-making authority and the ability to decide how to handle a partner’s remains. The bill also will apply to unmarried heterosexual couples in which at least one of the two partners is 62 years or older.
After the vote, the five gay members of the Legislature accepted congratulations.
“It’s a step. It’s a significant step,” said Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle. “It’s still a long hike up the mountainside of marriage.”
Last year, the Legislature enacted a law barring discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment and housing. That measure took 29 years to pass.
While supporters won’t try to pass gay marriage legislation next year, they will seek to build on Tuesday’s victory with steps such as extending community property rules to same-sex couples. “It would serve us well not to do radical change,” said Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver.
The House voted 63-35 to pass the bill.
Rep. Brian Sullivan, D-Mukilteo, who voted for the bill, said it “moves the bar forward toward fairness for everybody.”
For example, barriers should not exist that deny a man or woman from seeing their partner in a hospital simply because of their relationship.
“I feel strongly about not discriminating against anybody,” he said.
In the floor debate, opponents argued that the legislation undermines the institution of marriage and, by extension, the underpinnings of social order.
Most of those who spoke against the bill said they welcomed legislation ensuring no person is denied the ability to visit a loved one in a hospital or be involved in health decisions.
This legislation goes beyond that, they said.
Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, said because the goal is legalizing gay marriage, then “this body ought to have that debate. Bring that bill forward. This bill clouds the issue.”
Supporters made clear that marriage is on their minds, but not in this bill.
“I wish we were here to talk about marriage. Unfortunately, we are not,” said Rep. Joe McDermott, D-Seattle.
He appealed to legislators to vote their hearts.
“If you’ve ever fallen in love, I call on you to support this legislation whether you welcome it or you are uncomfortable about it,” he said.
How Snohomish County representatives voted:
Yes: (All Democrats) Ruth Kagi, Maralayn Chase, Al O’Brien, Mark Ericks, Brian Sullivan, Mary Helen Roberts, John McCoy, Mike Sells, John Lovick, Hans Dunshee.
No: (All Republicans) Barbara Bailey, Chris Strow, Kirk Pearson, Dan Kristiansen.
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