On Monday, Nov. 14, Washington United for Marriage officially launched. According to their Facebook page, "Washington United for Marriage is a coalition of organizations, congregations, unions, and businesses working together to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples."
The Seattle Times reports that legislators hope to pass a civil marriage bill through the Washington State legislature in 2012:
"We're going to push it," said state Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, a gay lawmaker from the 43rd district and a leader in the marriage effort. "I believe 2012 is the best chance we've ever had to make marriage equality a reality."
It is going to take all of us who support civil marriage for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples to make sure our representatives understand how important it is to us that they pass this bill. According to the Seattle Times:
Democrats hold a 27-22 majority in the state Senate and a 56-42 advantage in the state House. But some conservative Democrats in the state Senate have voted with Republicans when it comes to extending rights to same-sex couples. That means some gay-rights supporters will have to sway some suburban Republicans to their cause. "We cannot win with just Democrats," Murray said.
On Monday, supporters of civil marriage officially launched their coalition campaign, Washington United for Marriage, at a press conference in Bellevue. There are already ways for people to get involved with the campaign. Supporters are encouraged to "like" and share the official Washington United for Marriage Facebook page. Their Facebook page grew by more than 100 fans per hour Sunday afternoon as supporters of civil marriage for loving gay and lesbian couples shared and re-shared the page on their Facebook pages. You can also connect with the campaign on twitter @WA4Marriage, and you can follow all campaign-related tweets at the hash-tag #WA4M.
Most importantly, loving gay and lesbian couples, and their friends and family, need to share their personal stories about why civil marriage for gays and lesbians is important to them. I know my partner of nearly eight years and I cannot wait until the day we can legally wed in Washington State. We love each other and are committed to each other. We are ready to make the commitment only marriage can provide.
Like thousands of other people in this state, I am ready to do everything possible to help loving and committed couples like us realize the simple dream of marriage. I hope you are, too.