Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Editorials / Opinion


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published July 24, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 7, 2007 at 1:56 PM

E-mail article     Print view

Editorial

First comes partnership, then comes marriage

Gay marriage took another step down the aisle toward the altar of legality when the state's new domestic-partnership law went into effect...

Gay marriage took another step down the aisle toward the altar of legality when the state's new domestic-partnership law went into effect this week.

The march toward marriage equality in Washington has been a three-decade struggle, which finally gained a foothold when the Legislature passed the domestic-partnership law last year. The state should now go further, and extend marriage to gays and lesbians. The state is already in the business of marriage. It has no good reason to exclude a large swath of residents because of sexual orientation. The domestic-partnership law, which went into effect Sunday, had people swarming to Olympia to register Monday. The law provides gay and lesbian couples some of the rights granted to married couples, such as the right to visit a partner in the hospital. The law also covers heterosexual couples when one partner is at least 62 years old.

The domestic-partnership law fortifies the argument for gay marriage. Supporters need to return to Olympia and push for what they should be civilly entitled to.

"This isn't an end," state Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, who was the force behind the law, told The Seattle Times. He said he and other gay lawmakers will continue to push bills with additional rights for lesbian and gay couples.

Good for them. Murray will need sustained help from non-gay legislators because the path to marriage equality took a hit last year when the Washington Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans same-sex marriage. The muddied ruling puts the question squarely back in the state Capitol.

Recognizing the rights of domestic partners is not gay marriage, but it is a step in the procession leading to the inevitable: the legalization of gay marriage.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist: New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law

Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist: New York trial a propaganda coup for terrrorists

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising