Washington State Lawmakers to Consider Marriage Bills Today

While Virginia Republicans are seeking to drag their state back to an ugly past, across the country the Washington State legislature is expected to begin considering same sex marriage legislation. In contrast to theocracy loving Bob "Taliban Bob" McDonnell, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire is backing marriage equality in her state. While the votes for passage appear to be there in the House, it's a tail biter in the Washington Senate. Not surprisingly, the hate merchants at the National Organization for Marriage are threatening retribution on legislators who vote for marriage equality. Once again I want to to know when NOM is going to be forced to reveal who is bankrolling its fear and hate based propaganda. Is it the Catholic Church? The Mormon Church? Or some combination? Citizens have the right to know who is behind the nasty agenda. Here are highlights from The Advocate on the Washington State situation:

Large crowds are expected Monday [i.e., today] in Olympia as lawmakers begin considering whether to make Washington the seventh state in the nation where marriage equality is legal.

Passage of the legislation, which has the support of Gov. Chris Gregoire, is by no means certain. Though the house bill has enough votes, an identical senate measure is currently one vote shy of support, with five lawmakers still undecided (The Stranger profiles the remaining undecideds and lists all relevant office contact information as well).

Per its usual playbook, the National Organization for Marriage is threatening to support the ousting of any Republican senator who votes in favor of the bill. On Wednesday, NOM president Brian Brown said in a statement that the group would spend $250,000 to fund primary challenges against pro-equality GOP legislators.

“If the legislature forces through same-sex marriage, they need to know that marriage will be on the ballot in November and the people of Washington will hold them accountable," Brown said.

A coalition of marriage equality supporters includes heavy-hitting corporations headquartered in the state such as Nike and Microsoft. "To be successful, it’s critical that we have a workforce that is as diverse as our customers," Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith wrote Thursday. "Inclusiveness is therefore a fundamental part of our values."

The Seattle Times reports that anti-gay marriage forces are planning a noontime rally Monday at the state capitol.

A couple of the hold outs in the Washington Senate are Democrats who have no business siding with the side of reactionary hate merchants. I hope they receive merciless pressure to support equality.