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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Olympia Tonight: Live from Olympia, the Senate Gay Marriage Vote

Posted by Eli Sanders on Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 6:00 AM

Husbands via Shutterstock.
Almost there.

Zach Silk, spokesman for Washington United for Marriage, says:

"We'd love people to show up at 4 o'clock at the state capitol. You can look for our Washington United for Marriage people, who will have t-shirts and clipboards—and we will work with you to make sure that you have the best view of the hearings. Either you can go to the senate gallery, or if the senate gallery's full there's going to be a lot of viewing within the capitol."

With 25 committed yes votes—just barely enough to pass the bill—Silk is predicting "an historic moment" for Washington State.

In reality, though, it may take more than a moment. I'm told the process could drag on into the night as various state senators speechify, use sneaky parliamentary tactics to try and derail the bill, and preen for the TVW cameras.

I'll be down there, and I'll let you all know what I'm seeing.

Comments (12) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

I just sent an email to the undecided senators (although I'm not in any of their districts).

Here's what it said:
Dear Senator (Undecided Man),
I encourage you to vote in favor of SB6239.
Just last month, my husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Our wedding anniversary happens to fall on the same day as our daughter's birthday, so it's a pretty important day in our house.
I strongly support the rights of people of the same sex to enter into marriage. I believe that couples who wish to make a commitment of marriage to each other, regardless of their gender, strengthen the institution of marriage, and strengthen families and communities. Our entire family supports the rights of same-sex couples to marry.
Please decide to vote in favor of this bill.

Posted by OlyMomNWorker

on February 1, 2012 at 6:48 AM

@ 2, I love "Dear Senator (Undecided Man)." That's a salutation that can be used again and again.

Anyway, here's hoping that I can be proud of my former home state tonight, and that the jackoffs in my current home state's General Assembly pay attention.

Posted by Matt from Denver on February 1, 2012 at 7:38 AM

This vote is the culmination of extraordinarily hard work on so many fronts (and that includes the good folks at the Stranger). It makes me almost have a tangible emotion knowing that Washington will be the next state to equalize marriage, and that it is a bipartisan effort to do the same.

Posted by michaelp on February 1, 2012 at 8:01 AM

For those of us who aren't able to be in Olympia, is there any gathering place in Seattle?

Posted by StellaLuna on February 1, 2012 at 8:04 AM

I would assume we are all meeting up at Pike and Broadway.At least that is where we are headed tonight.

Posted by Womyn2me $http://http:\\www.shelleyandlaura.com$ on February 1, 2012 at 9:16 AM

Where are Hutcherson and his crowd going to be watching? I want to crash that party.

Posted by Mason on February 1, 2012 at 9:18 AM

We are watching history in the making of no less significance than women gaining the vote and Black Americans gaining full citizenship. Don't say nothing historic ever happens. Full and equal civil rights makes America a "more perfect union" as the founding Fathers wanted.

Posted by Sargon Bighorn on February 1, 2012 at 9:37 AM

if possible, please post a link to where we can watch/ listen to the debate live online. thanks.

Posted by mikhastur on February 1, 2012 at 9:43 AM

@8: Will do. But it should be streaming at TVW.org.

Posted by Eli Sanders

on February 1, 2012 at 10:02 AM

are any bars streaming this party?

Posted by kay fran on February 1, 2012 at 12:47 PM

See you there!

Posted by srslywut on February 1, 2012 at 1:41 PM

I would like to see this state of Washington and the United States get back to the basics. Return to the belief in God and begin living in the manner that God intends for us to live.

Posted by Garylb on February 5, 2012 at 8:58 PM