Washington would become the seventh state to recognize gay marriage under the House and Senate bills. As the legislation is advancing, advocates have begun touting the economic benefits of expanding the definition of marriage, even while religious conservatives warn there could be lawsuits against businesses subjected to discrimination claims under the bills, if either becomes law.
The Seattle Times reported Sunday on what the pending legislation would actually mean for same-sex couples in Washington, including those who have registered domestic partnerships that would have to convert to marriages within two years. It notes there are exemptions for churches but not private businesses that cater to weddings.
If the law is passed, Washington stands to benefit financially, according to a report from the Williams Institute [at the University of California-Los Angeles law school]. It calculates “the total spending on wedding arrangements and tourism by resident same-sex couples and their guests will add an $88-million boost to the Washington economy over the first three years. This spending is likely to generate $8 million in tax revenue for state and local governments.”
An excerpt from the study sponsors’ press release:
Rep. Matt Shea of Spokane Valley says the law could lead to discrimination lawsuits against wedding-industry workers including photographers that refuse to provide services to same-sex couples.
Republicans offered three amendments to House Bill 2516 in the committee today – one from Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, to put the measure up to a statewide vote in November. Two others were from Shea – one to require six months’ residency in Washington for any marriage.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Pedersen's bill already clearly exempts clergy and religious groups from having to perform same-sex weddings, but Shea offered his other amendment adding language to prevent any unit of government from withholding benefits from or refusing to contract with a church or group that refused to conduct the weddings.
One prominent opponent to the marriage bill is Pastor Joe Fuiten of the Cedar Park Assembly of God in Bothell who says the bill turns marriage into a farce and that organizations refusing to honor same-sex marriage could be labeled discriminatory, harming their chances of receiving grants.
A formal Senate floor vote on Substitute Senate Bill 6239 is expected as soon as Wednesday, although Senate Democratic Caucus spokesmen say it could happen at any time this week.
Once the Senate acts on Sen. Ed Murray’s measure, it would go to the House for a committee hearing fairly soon. The House is expected to go with the Senate version of the bill rather than House Bill 2516, which was heard in House Judiciary last week and approved there this afternoon.
The House version has 50 co-sponsors, enough for it to pass.
Several major Northwest businesses have lent support to the measure, according to Washington United for Marriage, a pro-gay group.
Washington United for Marriage put out a statement that lists supporting businesses here.
On the other side, the National Organization for Marriage that opposes same-sex marriage put out a statement saying it will push against Starbucks for its support of gay marriage. The group put out a news release that quoted its leader, Brian Brown, in part:
NOM pledged an intensive public relations effort to ask Starbucks customers who favor retaining marriage as the union of husband and wife to complain to company headquarters.
Washington United for Marriage, a pro-gay advocacy group, put out a statement after the Judiciary vote, saying:
Foes of the marriage bills previously filed an initiative to prohibit the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
