A step in the right direction, but no where near finished yet. I would have preferred if the ban against gay marriage was deemed unconstitutional and thus allowed gay marriages to be legal giving those couples all the rights that heterosexual couples enjoy, but this is moving things in the right direction.

Long overdue. Certainly Seattle residents are solidly in favor of granting more rights to gay couples and outlawing discrimination against them.

I have met gay couples and have noticed that often their partnerships are more solid and respectful than many heterosexual couples.

When I rented my house I looked for a gay couple because I knew there was a much higher probability of them taking care of the place appropriately

I am disheartened to hear that such a bill would get this far in Washington. Marriage and it benefits are between and man and a woman. Most gay couples are not more stable nor do they outlast most marriages.

I agree on this measure.In this day and age,it's only fair. I would also like to find out, on my case.My lifetime partner & I:( Male-Female), were in a Marriage-Like relationship,for 27 yrs., before her passing,this last August.We have lived in our Home,( Purchased by Her),for 19 yrs.She Retired from the UW in 2004, after 30 plus years of service.Since, in my Research, I have found no paper's, Recorded, or otherwise, that I know of, the home has gone into Probate, & her brother is the Intestate Administrator, at this time. I am 64 years old, and only have my SS monies. Is it possible that the court's would Rule in my favor, as a surviving Spouse, & I Inherit the property? Can someone help me, so I don't lose my Home? Interviews? Help is deeply appreciated!. Sincerely, Robert. Phone 206-527-3120.

First of all, homosexuality has to do with same gender sex. It has nothing to do with an emotional bond. Just because you care deeply about someone doesn't mean you have to perform sexual favors for each other. And if a person says that their "gay" relationship doesn't involve sexual activity, well that isn't homosexuality now is it. It's just two people of the same gender that care deeply for each other. And you don't marry everyone you care about.
Personally, I think homosexuality is a mental disorder and should be treated as such. Don't gimmie that "homosexuality is a genetic trait" crap, because schizophrenia and alcoholism are genetic traits also. And they are handled accordingly.
On the other hand, gay couple's can't naturally reproduce, so on a small level, they help keep the population from exploding more than it already is.
Over all, the problem isn't hetero or homosexuality. The problem is that, at least in America, there is too much glorification of sexual activity, and sex as the basis of a relationship.

I'm a little surprised Washington was the first out of the three west coast states to pass something like this. I was certain Oregon or California would do it first... I know more gay people on the east coast than in Seattle. Hell ya though, someone pop the champaign cork, let's celebrate COMMON SENSE!

The end of non-secular oppression is near!

Dennis, christianity is a mental disorder, too.

Anonymous, ha ha ha. How did you get christianity out of what I posted previously?

do non married men and women couples have the same rights?

My partner of 23+ years and I agree that passage of this bill is a great first step. We spent a few thousands dollars years ago with our attorney to create legal documents allowing us to do what this bill will accomplish. We are anxiously awaiting Governor Chris' signature putting this into law.

A huge step in the right direction. Male-female unmarried will NOT get the same rights because they can legally marry. That argument wouldn't be here if marriage was afforded to all. The very ignorant responder who stated that homosexuality is a disease similar to schizophrenia and alcoholism should put down the drink and take his haldol! Meanwhile, oppression has never been a solution; but in all fairness to Mr. Ignorance, nor has silence! So your voice too, is welcome! Viva Washington!

Because Dennis, if you're not christin and you think homosexuality is a disease... you're just fucking stupid.

The legislature was too afriad to let the people of the state vote on this. Because it would fail. This bill is wrong and should not be passed. Now are they going to grant non married couples the same rights now that they grant 'gay' couples the same? Being gay is a choice and is not natural. It is gender confusion. Gay couples cannot naturally procreate.

It still amazes me when people oppose such a benign action. Benign meaning, how could this hurt the heterosexual people in the world? I am a gay woman living with my gay partner of 4 years. I'll be damned if she ever gets in an accident and I am prevented from seeing her in the ER. (One of MANY things gay couples have to worry about) I will stop from going on for days but the point is simple, at what point will the hate-filled, discriminating heterosexual realize their are better places to focus that negative energy. I feel sorry you.

**there - not their

Ha! I agree with the comment regarding long term gay relationships being stronger. Ignorance and fear will stray people away from seeing that point. I would rather our government support two people that fight to be together, not take for granted their union, compassionately care for each other, and redefine the concept of marriage that heterosexual people have MANGLED!!! I, at this point, don't want a legalized marriage to my partner. It is really a disgrace.

What this will end up doing is having more companies stop giving their employees medical or other benefits.

America is gross for not letting this happen sooner. All bigots who oppose this new law should kill themselves so they can stop wasting oxygen.

like anything else, cry and moan long enough and you will get what you want. Thank you liberal democrats for ruining a good country. health care is going up or away, but yet we can have gay couples in realationships. Good thing God is gone in America isn't it?

rob.... what on gods green earth are you talking about? to start with most democrats are union and unions are where benefits like a 40 hr work week health care child labor laws better schools and hospitals came from, the corporations didnt hand it all over just for the fun of it, alot of union people paid with thier blood for what so many enjoy today so dont go around blaming us for runinig a good country or causing your medical to go up or you losing it. how bout pointing your finger at runaway malpractice and fraud.

and what are you talking about when you say " but yet we can have gay couples in relationships.

i am not gay nor do i understand it, id say one of my first concernes would be fraud by claiming someone is a partner when they are just a friend in need. to me it seems the costs will go up and to balance it all out benefits will be cut and co pays will go up. but dont blame the democrats cause we are the ones who sacraficed in the first place.

I never cared if the bill passed or not, I'm glad it passed. People need to lighten up and accept people as people. :)Screwed in the head or not. Because we all are.
To all that hate me because of anything I posted past or present. Feel free to hate me. But do you know that I would gladly go into a burning building to save the life of some one that was "gay or lesbian". I would gladly take a bullet to save the life of someone that is homosexual. Those of you that hate me, I would die for you too. :)My body is failing, so I'm afriad I wouldn't be able to help much with organs and such.
One more thing, if I was an employer looking to hire some one. It doesn't matter the religion, color, creed, so on and so forth...the most qualified person get's the job. Could you please give me a better argument than, "your just fucking stupid".
Sorry for the long blog that has veared far from the initial question.

Okay Dennis. You used the word HATE a lot... the only person hating anything is YOU. YOU and the "christians"... republicans and god have fucked this country enough. Here's something to argue about Dennis... just buy a gun and put it in your mouth loaded and pull the fucking trigger. That goes to everyone else who is republican or a god fucker.

I am sad to hear that a few speak for the many. I personally do not believe that gay couples should have the same rights as married couples involved with one man and one woman. When a couple with one man and one woman are in a realtionship or live together they do not get the same rights as a married couple. When the few speak for the many and laws are based on the few then this county is headed for disater

Well then Cathey, you are a part of the problem. Religious derived ignorance has a firm grasp on your perception of reality. The bible does not teach physics as it actually exists... homosexuality is completely normal because it occurs in nature. By you saying "I am sad to hear that a few speak for the many" you're the hypocrite. The pope says homosexuality is wrong. HITLER said homosexuality is wrong... That's one person speaking for millions. This blog is not official or anything... lighten up people.

Dennis wrote: "First of all, homosexuality has to do with same gender sex. It has nothing to do with an emotional bond." Doesn't anybody find that to be a little sick?

Dennis, you don't know what it takes to have an emotional bond.

NO --- the bill should neither be considered nor signed.

Gregoire is showing her true off-the-scale liberalism by backing this bill. There is so much that is wrong with ongoing PC legislation in the State of Washington in pursuit of "the perfect world." Nature or nurture (the arguments are endless); same sex couples will always live as they choose.

Why does the general state population need to accommodate yet another politically incorrect aberration?

NO.

It is time to welcome all couples into the fold. It isn't time to judge who can be a couple based on our own personal preferences. I congratulate the legislaturers who voted for this bill and to our Governor for caring enough about all citizens to vote for it. Let's drop the divisive rhetoric and show our love and concern for all couples. Who am I to say who can call themselves a couple and who can't.

Where in nature does homosexuality exist as it occurs in human beings? What other animal mates for life with the same gender? Remember, as it occurs in humans.

Another thing, I will try to make my initial point a little more clear. If a relationship is based soley on love and caring for one another, and not on sexual activity. Homosexuality does not apply. I believe it is completely normal and exceptable for people to love each other, regardless of gender. Yes I'm ignorant because I don't understand why people would have to consider themselves "couples" just becuase they care about each other. Yes I'm ignorant because I don't understand why people need to define a relationship based on sex.
Here are some more questions. Do you have someone that you love very much? Do you feel the need to marry that person? And why? Why, the never ending question.

Dennis, you've obviously never been to Africa. Let alone been in the lab recording it occur. Homosexual LIFE MATES occur in lions, zebra, giraffes, water buffalo, etc... I've seen it with my own eyes.

What's next? Government paid health care for our
pets and the right to inherit the dog house?

I AM DISGUSTED with this bill. I am disgusted with where our Country is headed and the direction we're going is a slippery slope. She is NOT my Govenor and never was! NO --- the bill should neither be considered nor signed. Marriage = a MAN and a WOMAN - period! Complain all you want to but you made choices outside of the "normal" society and that does NOT entitle you to the same rights - period! If I choose to live with my boyfriend (I'm female) its my choice to do so and with that we don't get "couples" rights so neither should same sex. This is becoming a special rights situation. Its just unacceptable. I WILL NEVER consider two same-sex couples equal to my married friends and would rather NOT provide insurance benefits AT ALL for my business. If this measure passes I will no longer offer medical care period and that's my choice.

GIVE ME A BREAK TOO - "rent to a gay couple because they'd take better care?" are you serious? That's like saying "black people dance better" and "White people are cleaner than hispanics" COMEON....pull your head out of the sand you wingnut.

i have heard of instances where people in the military get married just for the extra pay. what is to stop someone with insurance taking a little payola in exchange for putting someone on thier plan? when the costs go up benefits get cut and or co pays go up. get a marrage license or get a job!!

Ryan you're a fucked up freak.

So we are one step closer to homosexuals being legally married. What next? Pedophiles marrying kids? Maybe someone wants to marry their dog? Sounds rediculous? It's already gotten rediculous. Wait and see who's next. After all we can't discriminate or hurt their feelings.

what if one is a trans gender? was a man and now is a woman living with domestic partner? or is a woman trapped in a mans body in need of insurance for that all important operation?

I have a nephew who is a homosexual and even he will tell you that the door that is being opened by laws supporting the gay sexual orientation are only the beginning of the war that homosexuals are bringing against anyone who opposes them. There are those who are determined to have their cake and eat it too, no matter what the cost is to this nation. Their sexual perversion has blinded them and they truely believe that they are the real sexual persuasion of this nation and the moral heterosexual is what stands in their way. Wake up America they only gain when we the heterosexuals don't fight for our rights along side them.

Hey Anonymous - You're BRILLIANT what great vocabulary you have and how intelligent you sound by voicing such a sharp statement. (you're an idiot!)

Last I checked as much as those who agree with this law have the freedom to share their views - I HAVE MINE TOO! Hence "Freedom of Speech". I don't agree with this law and think its rediculous! We ARE headed down a slippery slope...and its not a good direction to go and yes what is next....Bruce said it best "So we are one step closer to homosexuals being legally married. What next? Pedophiles marrying kids? Maybe someone wants to marry their dog? Sounds rediculous? It's already gotten rediculous. Wait and see who's next. After all we can't discriminate or hurt their feelings." GOD forbid we hurt anyone's feelings...we make choices in life...maybe you're gay but guess what your choice is to ACT on that feeling...so you made your life choice...you followed that urge so therefore you are NOT entitled to the rights of heterosexual couples who are MARRIED in the eyes of GOD ;) Get over it...if she signs the bill I WILL not offer medical insurance to my employees when my business gets off the ground - I refuse to pay for something I do not agree with and my husband's insurance will take care of my benefits. That's MY choice! Have some better words Mr. Anonymous your vocabulary could use some work. Take more than that to hurt my feelings...

Ryan, what's ridiculous is you're so inept you couldn't understand what I meant by using such vulgarity.

Here's what I meant without using profanities...

First off, there is no "god". So don't use that card. Second, I'm sure that you'd rather have slavery back. Certainly you must feel African-Americans and European-Americans shouldn't be able to get married. Correct? It's not your opinion that you're ill it's fact. You shouldn't not offer insurance to your employees, that's using spite to make you feel better about your hatred.

I happen to be a heterosexual male, and I am married, but I'm not a delusional right wing asshole.

So, here's the profanity again, GO FUCK YOURSELF!

PS - "What next? Pedophiles marrying kids?" - Ryan.

Everyone listen up! Ryan is trying to make homosexuals look like criminals. It's gross that in this day and age pagan beliefs like "homosexuality is wrong" is still etched in to our society.

Man .. I've been gone for a few days and I've almost missed a heated discussion here .. and it wasn't even me stirring the pot a little bit. I think some are just afraid of the unknown and brainwashed a little bit :) I wonder how these people would respond if their own child would tell them that they were Gay ... bet that would make for some really interesting discussions over Thanksgiving dinner with the grandparents ;)

Congratulations to Oregon for also entering the realm of the sane by approving a bill just like Washington State did! Perhaps some day, the clouds of hatred will part and everyone may see that it's OK for people to live free.

People should become educated about the bill before making discriminatory comments. "The state will also recognize domestic partnerships for heterosexual couples..."

Great find Jon .. but most christian extremists will tell you then that these people are living in Sin ;)

Since when does it matter what Christians "think"? I usually take what Christians say with a grain of salt considering, I'm pretty sure there are a lot more "sinful" things they have done. The Spanish Inquisition, the Puritan's and their "witch hunts", the Trail of Tears, and let's not forget the Holocaust... Which, Christians in fact, helped enforce the annihilation of Jews. Don't let what a two thousand year old myth proclaims rule your life. More people have died in the name of god than from AIDS...

Hello Mr. Anonymous who apparently doesn't have the heterosexual balls to put his name down to begin with...again FREEDOM of SPEECH did you miss the memo? And for what's its worth I DO belive in God and don't care what you think. I am entitled to my opinion and beliefs just as much as you are and don't need to tell you where I truly think you should go to make a point. YOU are a shallow small minded man and you don't know anything about me. I have african american roots you idiot. My point is again - EQUAL rights NOT special rights I get tired of the cry baby antics when "special groups" don't get their way...and telling people to "F" themselves is such an intelligent response for a small minded small packaged man. People need to deal with the choices they make and the consequences that go with them.

For the record my nephew is gay and I love him period but I don't have to agree with his choices either.

Last I checked heterosexual couples living together do not get the rights of this bill and that's where I have the issue - EQUAL not special group rights!

"People should become educated about the bill before making discriminatory comments. "The state will also recognize domestic partnerships for heterosexual couples..."

Posted by: Jon at April 17, 2007 02:01 PM"

Ryan, yes, I don't reveal my name because I have small balls. Also, yep, I missed the memo, I thought that the government controlled everyone's thoughts. (Encountering you, people would probably think so). I don't care what you believe in... Your "GOD" is as real as the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause. Wait, our country embraces those fictional characters too... Hmmmm, what a coincidence! Also, you're right, I am a shallow, small minded person: "For the record my nephew is gay...I don't...agree with his choices..." who's shallow now?

Stop talking about my package, nothing that I write is going to change your god delusion. You're right, people DO need to deal with the choices they make and the consequences that go with them... The Washington State Governor was ELECTED via Democracy... DEAL WITH IT.

PS - "The state will also recognize domestic partnerships for heterosexual couples..."

Hey Mr. Anonymous - WHATEVER - She was elected Governor because she wined enough to get her way - Dino won TWICE and the third count of let's see people who were dead (apparently they can vote too) and she's elected. It was a defunked win...NOT a true with! She stumbled in there on a fluke and wined enough they "let the girl win". and she is NOT my Governor!

YES my nephew has a different life choice - I can STILL LOVE HIM and not agree with the decisions he makes because I AM tolerant. Unlike you who obviously doesn't have a heart and apparently a soul ta boot. Hopefully you will see the light someday and know that there IS a GOD and he DOES LOVE YOU even through your angry shallow mean little minded comments. WE should be able to have civil discussions and maybe we both could learn vs. you verbally abusing me because you don't agree with my opinion and ability to speak freely! YES you ARE a small man! GOD is real and I have the right to believe just as you don't its called a CHOICE. Perhaps he'll shed some happy light on you someday and you'll be a happier well adjusted person with love to share instead of hate and vulgarity.

HAAHHAAHHAHAHAHA You're trying to correlate love and god???? You're sick!!!! I'm not responding to anymore of your nonsense.

It's sick when a supposed non-theist government imposes delusional superstition in legislation, why hasn't gay marriage become a FEDERAL LAW?

Whats wrong with homosexuals wanting to get married? Most would say "It is wrong in God's eyes."
...your point...?
A bond in marriage can be about sex, finacial needs, whatever floats your boat. But it is mostly based on LOVE and feelings toward that one person.
I know of relationships between homosexual couples to have more love, understanding, and emotions then some marriages between a man and a woman.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but what about to people who are gay. Shouldnt this society care about what everybody wants and thinks? Not just the people who think this world HAS to be normal. WHAT IS NORMAL?!?!?! Hetrosexuals can do whatever, but homosexuals can't do anything? Like a few said, if you found out one of your workers were gay, you wouldnt give them the same health benefit? (Maybe I misunderstood, but thats what you were implying.) They would still be the same person, the same worker, the same employee, why does their sexuality make a difference?
I think people are scared of change. Scared of being around people who are different then themselves. Scared of people wanting to be themselves and have equal rights rather than follow the crowd.
I know of life-long friendships to be broken, just because one person was of a different sexuality. I know of people getting kicked out of their homes by their parents, just because they said they were gay.
wheres the love? OH, thats right... LOVE and MARRIAGE is between a MAN and a WOMAN. No one else. If ANYONE else has love for someone of their own sex, THEY ARE SINFUL, stupid, an abnormality, and a desgrace to this entire society. (sarcasm)
It sickens me to know what this country has become. Land of the free. Home of the brave. Whereas, no one is free. Also, most gay people are afraid to come out and admit they are, in fear thay would be outcasted from society completely.

No one should be chaste because of who they are or who they sleep with...they should under state hood be recognized if they go through a commitment ceremony....but marriage IS and always will be between a man and a woman premise is that the man and woman are the Ideal family unit....(all though it most definitely is not).....It is the way that nature has made it....not the governments.....the religious community has a basic belief in that philosophy...and it is celebrated amongst various religions in various ways....but you are asking people who believe one way to change and believe a different way for a few people....okay maybe not a few....none the less....would you change your belief system just because i asked you to....NO!!!....then how can the gay community keep at it so vigorously....if the populous did this to them it would be likened to brainwashing.........let the state recognition be what pacifies you...don't do what you accuse others of doing and force people to bend for you too much.......they will break....it's not about freedoms....it's about making special concessions for people who feel they need recognition.....let it stay a state issue....church and state have a natural division.....it's people who cloud the issues......