gay rights

Controversial florist sues Wash. state, says she 'will not wilt'

Anna King — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:55:59 +0000

The Richland florist who refused to sell flowers for a same sex-couple’s wedding has filed a counter suit.

Arlene’s Flowers owner Barronnelle Stutzman says she "will not wilt." She argues there are plenty of other shops in the Tri-Cities that could cater to a gay or lesbian wedding.

A risk including gay partners in immigration bill?

The Associated Press — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:35:56 +0000

Frustrated at being left out of an immigration overhaul, gay rights groups are pushing to adjust a bipartisan Senate bill to include gay couples. But Democrats are treading carefully, wary of adding another divisive issue that could lose Republican support and jeopardize the entire bill.

Both parties want the bill to succeed. Merely getting to agreement on the basic framework for the immigration overhaul, which would create a long and costly path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million people in the U.S. illegally, was no small feat for senators. And getting it through a divided Congress is still far from a done deal.

From 1983 to grandparenthood, lesbian group's shared history

Bellamy Pailthorp — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

It all began in 1983 in the basement of a church.

They were a dozen or so lesbians in committed relationships who wanted to be good mothers. Some already had children, and some were still figuring out how to make it happen.

One woman even handed out mimeographed instructions on how to artificially inseminate with a syringe and sperm from a donor.

During a recent weekend, 10 of those women filled the living room of a home in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood.

For some donors, Boy Scouts' ban on gays doesn't add up

Corey Dade — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:24:37 +0000

Years of criticism and even a U.S. Supreme Court challenge couldn't force the Boy Scouts of America to admit openly gay members and leaders. But money talks, and after the defections of major donors, the 103-year-old organization is poised to lift its national ban.

Just last summer, the Boy Scouts reaffirmed the ban after a lengthy internal review. Several incidents since then have tarnished the organization's image and fueled an aggressive nationwide protest led by an Eagle Scout.

Boys Scouts of America hasn't disclosed its reasons for considering the policy change.

Boy Scouts considering lifting ban on gay scouts, leaders

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:43:27 +0000

The Boy Scouts of America are considering lifting a national ban on gay scouts and leaders, the organizations spokesman announced.

USA Today reports:

"If this policy shift is approved by the national board meeting at their scheduled meeting next week, it will be a sharp reversal of the Scouts' decade's old national policy banning homosexuals.
"'The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliv

Seattle councilwoman dying of cancer comes out at 66

The Associated Press — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:32:04 +0000

Former Seattle councilwoman Cheryl Chow has brain cancer and says she has one more thing she wants to do before she dies.

She told KING-TV she is coming out and telling people she is gay after being secretive for more than 60 years. She wants to encourage others to not be afraid to tell their parents or children the truth.

Washington's same-sex marriage law on hold; Will it be major issue in elections?

The Associated Press, Jake Ellison and Austin Jenkins — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:28:43 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington's gay marriage law is now on hold.

Preserve Marriage Washington submitted more than 200,000 signatures Wednesday, blocking the law from taking effect on Thursday.

Governor Gregoire emerging as unlikely gay rights activist

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:38:11 +0000

OLYMPIA - Washington Governor Chris Gregoire is emerging as an unlikely gay rights activist - both at home and on the national stage. Her role in helping pass a same-sex marriage law this year has made Gregoire a sought-after spokesperson for the movement.

Gov. Gregoire to sign gay marriage bill today

The Associated Press — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:11:46 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Chris Gregoire will sign a measure legalizing gay marriage in Washington state into law on today.

Both sides of gay marriage debate react to Wash. House vote

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:34:39 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Gay marriage supporters are thrilled. Opponents are gearing up for a ballot fight. That's the dynamic after the Washington House voted Wednesday to send a same-sex marriage bill to the governor.

Up in the marble nosebleeds, proponents of gay marriage watched the debate quietly. But when the vote was tallied the celebration went on for more than a minute.

Susan Fairo cheered with her partner of 17 years. "I'm relieved, I'm delighted," she said. "It felt like a historic moment. So, we're a step farther."

Governor Chris Gregoire has five days to sign it into law.

Same-sex marriage decision personal for lawmakers

Azusa Uchikura — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:33:39 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A bill to legalize same-sex marriage is in the hands of Governor Chris Gregoire. It passed the Washington House Wedesday with a 55-43 vote. During the three-hour debate, many lawmakers shared their own personal stories.

Democrat Jamie Pedersen, who is openly gay, spoke of how same-sex marriage would affect his own family.

"I would like for our four children to grow up understanding that their daddy and their papa have made that kind of a life-long commitment to each other," Pedersen says.

Bill legalizing gay marriage passes House vote: 55-43

The Associated Press — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:27:31 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington state Legislature has voted to legalize gay marriage, setting the stage for the state to become the seventh in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed.

National org. prepares for gay marriage repeal effort in Washington

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:37:21 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Gay marriage isn’t the law in Washington yet, but national opponents are already preparing for a repeal campaign.

Prop 8 ruling likely has no immediate effect on Northwest

Chris Lehman — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:00:09 +0000

Tuesday's ruling overturning California’s ban on same-sex marriage is not expected to affect similar laws in other states. Oregon and Idaho also have voter-approved amendments against gay marriage.

But Washington lawmakers are poised to send Governor Chris Gregoire a measure allowing gays and lesbians to marry.

California's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional, court says

Mark Memmott — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:27:12 +0000

California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional, a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today in a much-anticipated decision from the nation's most populous state. The judges upheld a lower court's ruling.

As you'd expect, the ruling has drawn praise from those who support same-sex marriage and condemnation from those who oppose it. Both sides acknowledge that the decision isn't the last word on the subject — an appeal to the U.S.