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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

LGBTQITSLFA / Olympia Attention Washington State Senate Republicans: It Pays to Support Gay Marriage

Posted by Eli Sanders on Wed, Jan 18, 2012 at 12:01 PM

Republicans account for two of our six undecided-on-gay-marriage state senators.

And look what the free market brought to Republican state senators in New York who supported marriage equality: money.

Gay rights advocates from Wall Street to Hollywood poured donations into the coffers of four little-known Republican state senators after the lawmakers provided the decisive votes for same-sex marriage in New York last June, according to new campaign finance filings released on Tuesday.

The support for the four senators, whose votes broke ranks with their party, is seen by gay rights leaders as symbolically important for their movement nationally, because in many states same-sex marriage could become law only with support from Republicans, as well as conservative Democrats. Maryland, New Jersey and Washington State are expected to consider same-sex marriage legislation this year.

With two of our Republican state senators already out in favor of gay marriage, and these two still on the fence, it could very well end up that Washington State—just like New York—passes a gay marriage law with the support of "four little-known Republican state senators."

One way to make this more likely: Let these Republicans know that just like their counterparts in New York, they will be rewarded if they break ranks with their party.

Comments (5) RSS

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What I sent:

Dear Senator Hill,
I am writing you to ask for your support of marriage equality in Washington. I moved here 3 years ago from New Mexico and have always been mesmerized by the beauty of my new state and its people. Never did I think that I could marry my partner of 8 years but I really can see that it might be a possibility for me.

I grew up with the same dreams most women have: love, a good job, marriage and a family. I have pulled off 3 of those four. You could, suprisingly enough, be the key to my getting married. My mother will be so proud, my potential marriage so closely tied to a Senator. ha-ha.

Please, consider the quality of life for all Washington people and support marriage equality. You know it is the right thing to do. If for no other reason, do it for my mother.

In friendship,
Laura

Posted by Womyn2me $http://http:\\www.shelleyandlaura.com$ on January 18, 2012 at 12:27 PM