Marriage Equality: Taking the lead
LGBT leaders and allies all over Washington are launching a new campaign for marriage equality called Washington United for Marriage. The campaign’s goal is to pass a marriage equality bill in the Washington State Legislature and for it to be signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire. To reach this goal the campaign will work to gain the support of local community members, elected officials and local media.
“This coalition of families, unions, business owners is about getting a bill passed out of the legislature and signed by the governor,” says local activist Justin Leighton, who explains that the biggest challenge for the bill will be getting it passed in the senate. “We need folks to talk to their state legislators to tell them they support marriage and so should they.”
The Pierce County arm of Washington United for Marriage is already off and running - holding town hall meetings all over the county to rally support for the cause. While many in Tacoma have long been actively committed to marriage equality, Washington United for Marriage Pierce County is determined to engage the entire county.
“It is easy to hold a meeting about marriage equality in cities like Tacoma and Seattle - those very urban, LGBT friendly areas,” explains Leighton. “But when you hold a meeting about this topic in Puyallup, Lakewood or Gig Harbor then you’re a true trailblazer.”