Same-Sex Marriage

Chicken Little Looms Large

Gay Olympia?

Gay-Marriage Decision Tomorrow

Gay Marriage Will Be Legal

Obama Gets a Pass on Gay Marriage

"I have not said that I was a supporter of gay marriage, but I am a strong supporter of civil unions, and I would, as president, make absolutely certain that all federal laws pertaining to married couples—benefits pertaining to married couples are conferred to people who—same sex couples who ha ... More >>

New Domestic Partnership Bills Aren't Messing Around

Because our Supreme Court believes procreation is a rational reason to ban gay marriage, every year Washington legislators introduce bills to expand the rights of domestic partners. This year's bills are properly bold, making domestic partnerships the equivalent of marriage in everything but name. L ... More >>

It's Better to Be Gay Here Than in Most States

Author: Lokal_Profil, used under Creative Commons 2.5 The above map (click to enlarge) shows gay marriage rights (or lack thereof) in all fifty states. If Washington passes the domestic partnership legislation introduced yesterday, it will join Vermont and New Hampshire as the only states with (rou ... More >>

Hooray, State Senate!

Last night, the state Senate passed the domestic partnership bill to give gay couples all the rights that married straight ones have--at least to the extent that the state can provide that. The legislation seems likely to pass the House as well, and Gregoire has said she'll sign it. Of course, once ... More >>

Maybe Someday We'll Be as Progressive as Iowa

While we wait for our "everything but marriage" bill to pass the state House, Iowa has legalized gay marriage, thanks to a ruling its Supreme Court handed down today. Said the court: "Equal protection under the Iowa Constitution is essentially a direction that all persons similarly situated should ... More >>

Looking for 120,577 Assholes

Perhaps Bruno can help collect signaturesNow that the Governor has signed the state's new domestic partnership law, Attorney General Rob McKenna confirmed that same-sex civil union opponents have submitted the paperwork to make the law subject to a popular vote. The driving force behind the referend ... More >>

Inlaws & Outlaws: Gay Marriage, Great. Context: Not So Much

Perhaps Bruno can help collect signaturesNow that the Governor has signed the state's new domestic partnership law, Attorney General Rob McKenna confirmed that same-sex civil union opponents have submitted the paperwork to make the law subject to a popular vote. The driving force behind the referend ... More >>

Memo: On Courting and Gay Marriage

Some advice for the Washington Supreme Court as it weighs the Defense of Marriage Act and balances political expediency with legal principles.

Sexual Disorientation

A court decision on gay marriage could aid opponents of the new, unrelated gay-civil-rights law.

Log Cabin Loner?

Patrick Guerriero is the pink elephant in the room.

Double-Zing Ceremony

At the state Supreme Court, arguments on gay marriage elicit some clues to the justices' thinking.

To Love, Honor, and Be Gay

How the state's highest court will decide whether gay marriage is legal.

The Rationale for Love

Gay marriage is illegal in Washington, but why? In defending the law before the Supreme Court, the state must cite a 'rational' reason.

Gay Marriage Battleground

Gay marriage is illegal in Washington, but why? In defending the law before the Supreme Court, the state must cite a 'rational' reason.

The Politics of Gay Marriage

Despite a historic ruling, the candidates for governor aren't likely to make same-sex unions a campaign issue— unless they have to.

Letters to the Editor

"[Michael Moore's] work is to a truthful documentary as 'fruit punch' is to 'fruit juice'—18 percent real at best."

The Case Against

Secular opponents have raised questions that advocates must answer.

Racing Down the Slippery Slope

What's after gay marriage? Polygamy? Bring it on.

Gay Marriage and Quotes

What's after gay marriage? Polygamy? Bring it on.

Traveling second class

Talking gay marriage, immigration, and exile with performance artist Tim Miller.

Are Gays Too Late to Destroy Marriage?

Their influence may ultimately be nothing compared to what straights have done.

What a Difference a Border Makes

​While we're home to enough haters that we have to vote on giving gay couples even basic domestic partnership rights, a quick trip North finds a broad majority of the provincial populace is not so provincial: 66% of British Columbians now favor of full-on gay marriage. At last check, only abou ... More >>

Election Night '09: Approve R-71 is Mostly Sure, Almost Positive That Washington Approves of Them

Approve 71 campaign manager Josh Friedes takes the mic.​Party: Approve R-71 Location: Pravda in Capitol Hill Mood: Cautious optimism giving way to outright celebration Drink of Choice: Gin and tonic. "Anything low-cal," says the bartender with a knowing nod. Pity the poor fool who has to spen ... More >>

Election Night '09: Ken Hutcherson, Larry Stickney, and a Former Hippie Tell Me Why R-71 Should Go Down in Flames

Larry Stickney addresses the press.​Party: Reject R-71 Location: Holiday Inn, Everett Mood: Cautious. R-71 was winning by a pair of points Drink of Choice? That's a good question. Larry Stickney walked out of the Reject R-71 effort's party -- off limits to members of the media -- and told rep ... More >>

Frank Bruni Ignores Washington's R-71 Victory

Frank Bruni failed to mention R-71.​In his Sunday New York Times "Week in Review" column , Frank Bruni used Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi's Oprah appearance to underscore America's seemingly conflicted views towards gay marriage. As Bruni pointed out, the show, which included footage fro ... More >>

Dino Rossi Voted to Ban Gay Marriage, Strip Same-Sex Partners of Health Care Coverage

​From attempts at defining marriage in the U.S. Constitution to, more recently, efforts to allow gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military, federal legislators regularly have the chance to vote on issues of importance to gays and lesbians. The recent Supreme Court ruling making public ... More >>

Prop 8 Decision by U.S. Supreme Court Could Help, or Hurt, Thousands of Local Gay Couples

​Thousands of Washington couples are among the gays and lesbians nationwide that could benefit--or be irreparably harmed--if the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the issue of gay marriage on the heels of a federal judge's ruling overturning Proposition 8--the California law banning gay marriage--ye ... More >>

Today in Sex: American Bar Association Says "I Do" to Gay Marriage

​Take back every mean thing you ever said about lawyers, because this week, the American Bar Association came out in favor of gay marriage. According to the ABA Journal, "Incoming ABA President Stephen Zack asked 'Why would anyone in this country not want two people who love each other to enjo ... More >>

"Homo Hoards" Use "Rainbow Flag Weapons" to Battle "Fascist Prudes" (According to Anarchists)

​On Saturday night on Capitol Hill there was a incident involving some people smashing a few windows and an ATM machine during a Pride Weekend celebration. Depending on whose report you believe, what happened was the result of a "flash mob" that hijacked a gay-pride event, or a rebellion of t ... More >>

Washington State Legislators: We Have Enough Votes in the House to Pass Same-Sex Marriage Today

​State Rep. Jim Moeller says he's "never been more optimistic" about getting a same-sex marriage law passed in Washington state.

Seattle Storm to Meet President Obama Today--Will They Ask Him Why He Doesn't Support Same-Sex Marriage?

​Last Friday, after the Seattle Storm beat the Minnesota Lynx 65-55, the team invited reporters into the locker room for questions. Sarah Toce from the Seattle Lesbian blog was there and reported that during the question-and-answer session, someone yelled out "They just passed [same-sex] marri ... More >>

Meet Heather Purser, the Woman Who Singlehandedly Got Same-Sex Marriage Approved by the Suquamish Tribe

Heather Purser and Rebecca Platter are now free to get married.​Heather Purser has no plans of marrying her girlfriend any time soon. But that doesn't mean that she wouldn't like the option. And while the nation at large can't seem to wrap its head around the concept of marriage equality, the ... More >>

Washington United for Marriage Hatches State's Best Effort Thus Far to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

​For the next year advocates from a broad spectrum of groups will be asking same-sex couples to share their stories with the rest of the state. The strategy appears to represent Washington's most concerted effort thus far in making same-sex marriage legal.

Hunt Club Creates a Wedge of Conflict

​There's been a lot of change lately at The Hunt Club. Remember a couple of years back when the restaurant did an Iron Chef-like contest to pick its new head chef for the kitchen? The winner, Matthew Mina, stayed in the position for about five months before moving on to the Salish Lodge. The ... More >>

Lame Duck Governor Chris Gregoire Now Backs Gay Marriage

​In a move unlikely to earn her a mention in Profiles in Courage, Gov. Chris Gregoire now wants to legalize gay marriage in Washington. "I can't sit here any longer and say it's OK to discriminate," Gregoire said at a news conference in Olympia today. "My church, all the churches, can exercise ... More >>

Opposition Building For Gov. Chris Gregoire's Gay-Marriage Bill

​As expected, it will not be smooth sailing for Gov. Chris Gregoire's bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Yesterday, an Everett attorney filed an initiative that would reaffirm the state's commitment to preserving the Defense of Marriage Act. Passed here in 1998, it defines marriage as between ... More >>

Gay Marriage Could Win In the State Senate

​The Washington State Senate may have the voters to approve gay marriage. According to The Associated Press, who contacted all 49 state senators, the measure to make Washington the seventh state to permit same-sex marriage is leading by a margin of 22-18.

Pastor Joe Fuiten Issues Rallying Call Against Gay Marriage Bill; Sponsors to Rewrite Language

Pete Kuhns​Joe Fuiten, one of the region's leading evangelical pastors and a former organizer for George W. Bush, weighed in this week on the gay marriage bill supported by Governor Chris Gregoire. Yeah, he's against it--to put it very, very mildly.

Breaking News: Gay Marriage Has the Votes to Become Law

​Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen is the final key vote to make gay marriage the law of the land in Washington. She announced her support this morning for the controversial measure, which the National Organization of Marriage has vowed to spend $250,000 to defeat.

Pastor Joe Fuiten's Gay-Marriage Problem

The leading evangelist's strange objection to the coming law.

Gov. Gregoire on Her Gay-Marriage Support: Sorry I Took Seven Years; Now...Mr. Obama?

Gregoire​"I wished I could have come to the point that I am today six years ago, seven years ago, five years ago," Gov. Chris Gregoire says, hoping to explain why - now as a lame duck politican - she finally joined the growing ranks of gay-marriage supporters. "But it took me a journey and for ... More >>

Gay Marriage Law Looks Like a Done Deal; Legislative Approval Is Imminent (UPDATE: PASSED!)

​UPDATE: The Washington State Senate has passed the gay-marriage law by a 28-21 margin. The bill will now go to the House where passage is expected to come as soon as next week -- upon which Gov. Chris Gregoire will sign the measure into law.

History In The Making!! Gay Marriage Clears Senate And Is On The Way To Becoming Law

​In an historic vote last night in Olympia, the Washington state Senate passed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. The stage is set for the state to become the seventh in the nation to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed. The measure now heads to the House, which is expected to appr ... More >>

Gay Marriage Opponents Bank on Referendums To Stop It -- But Is That Wishful Thinking?

​The gay marriage opposition led by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) believe that the best course of action in derailing same-sex weddings is to mobilize like-minded detractors, fund expensive ad campaigns, and fight like hell to get the issue on the ballot -- here in Washington an ... More >>

Breaking News: California's Gay-Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

​A three-member panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has just ruled that California's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. The federal court said the state cannot prevent gay couples from marrying just because a majority of voters said so. The 2-1 decision is a huge victory for gay-ri ... More >>

UPDATED: Gay-Marriage Bill to Clear the House Today; Amendment Proposed to Exempt Gonzaga, Seattle U

​UPDATE: The Washington state House this afternoon passed the gay marriage bill by a vote of 55-43. It is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire early next week. Click here for details of today's debate in Seattle PI.com. Washington's gay-marriage measure should clear its final ... More >>