Pride in Olympia over gay rights

PASSAGE of a gay-rights bill is a moment of pride for all of Washington. Our progressive state is on record opposing discrimination against gays and lesbians.

This is a huge victory for state Rep. Ed Murray, the Seattle Democrat who fought tirelessly for 11 years to protect gays and lesbians in matters of housing, employment and insurance. This is a big moment for gays, lesbians and tolerant citizens everywhere. Success did not come easily. The bill has been fought over in Olympia for nearly 30 years. Murray refused to lose and kept trying to create a coalition to make it happen.

The bill that passed the Senate Friday on a 25-23 vote is neither radical nor threatening. It merely adds the words "sexual orientation" to existing law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, disability, religion and marital status. The legislation harms no one; it helps protect gays and lesbians.

The vote never could have happened without Murray's leadership and tenacity. It also couldn't have happened without state Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, a Kirkland Republican who bucked his party to vote his conscience and put the bill over the top. The House concurred and Gov. Christine Gregoire announced she would sign the bill into law Tuesday.

Upon passage, cheers and tears erupted from Senate balconies. Finally. This has been a long, sometimes lonely battle.

"This is a state that believes fairness and equality apply to gay and lesbian citizens, to all citizens, regardless of what anyone personally thinks of gay people," Murray said.

Congratulations to Murray for his hard work — and to all senators and House members who helped make it happen.