Same-sex marriage legalized in Washington, faces votes in other states

Same-sex marriage legalized in Washington, faces votes in other states

Published:

OLYMPIA, Wash. (CNS) -- Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire Feb. 13 signed a measure that legalizes marriage for same-sex couples, making Washington the seventh state, along with the District of Columbia, where same-sex marriage is legal. The House passed the bill with a 55-43 vote Feb. 8, a week after the Senate approved it. The same-sex marriage law takes effect 90 days after the governor's signature, but opponents have promised to fight it with a ballot measure that would allow voters to overturn it. If opponents gather 120,000 signatures, the measure will be put to a referendum in November. Prior to the vote, the state's bishops urged legislators to reject the measure and "defend the current legal definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman." In Jan. 23 testimony before a Senate committee, Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain urged lawmakers to oppose the measure "based on the grave challenge this legislation poses to the common good. By attempting to redefine marriage, it ignores the origin, purpose and value of marriage to individuals, families and society." The Washington bill was modeled after similar legislation approved by New York in June, which allows churches and religious groups to choose not to perform same-sex marriages. They also can deny same-sex couples access to their facilities for weddings. Across the country in New Jersey, the state Senate passed a bill Feb. 13 to legalize same-sex marriage. The state Assembly was to vote on it Feb. 16. Gov. Chris Christie has vowed to veto such a bill if it passes and let voters decide on it in a November referendum. In Maryland, Catholic leaders continued their campaign in support of traditional marriage Feb. 10, testifying before members of the House of Delegates against a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state.

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Source: http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2012/02/14/news-4/?s=

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