Think Progress  LGBT


Washington House Passes Marriage Equality 55-43 |

By Zack Ford on Feb 8, 2012 at 6:28 pm

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/issue/

After defeating multiple amendments designed to derail the bill — including one that would require a referendum — the Washington state House of Representative has passed marriage equality with a vote of 55-43. The bill now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire (D), who has promised to sign it. Opponents of marriage equality have already promised to challenge the law with a referendum.






Non-Jolt: State House Passes Gay Marriage Bill 55-43

Jolt   February 8, 2012 at 3:27 pm Afternoon Jolt

http://publicola.com/2012/02/08/non-jolt-state-house-passes-gay-marriage-bill-55-43/


Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27, Tacoma)


State house Democrats passed a gay marriage bill today 55-43, rejecting seven amendments to the bill in a  two-hour floor debate and vote, seconding the senate's vote last week to allow same-sex marriages.

The GOP amendments were similar to the ones that failed in the senate last week to do things such as adding businesses (like photographers and florists) to the exemption clause, which allows religious organizations to refuse to perform gay marriages. Oddly, one opponent of the bill, Rep. John Ahern (R-6, Spokane), who gravitated toward the GOP argument that the bill was a distraction from this session's pressing matter, the economy, essentially argued that the bill hurt small businesses like photographers and cake makers. Why? Because it would give them more business from gay couples. The business exemption, proposed by Rep. Matt Shea (R-4, Spokane Valley), failed 53-45.