The Governor of Washington, Christine Gregoire signed into law a bill approving that the laws be changed to make same sex marriage legal.
Governor Gregoire is Proud
According to the Sun Herald, Governor Gregoire has said: "I'm proud our same-sex couples will no longer be treated as separate but equal," whilst addressing a group of gay marriage supporters who had gathered for the signing ceremony in the state capital Olympia.
Six US states - Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont - plus the District of Columbia already allow same-sex marriage. Washington State will be the seventh US state to legalise same sex marriage laws.
The Laws will be Legally Binding on June 7, 2012
Same sex marriage will be legal on June 7, 2012 in Washington unless opponents manage to gather enough signatures to hold a referendum on overturning the measure. If the opponents are successful, the law could be held in limbo until November 6, 2012 when the results would be tabulated along with those of the presidential and congressional elections. Same-sex marriage is still a highly controversial issue in the US and many people do not support its legalisation.
One example is of lawmakers in New Jersey, many of them Democrats, approved legislation legalising same-sex marriage today but Republican Governor Chris Christie says he intends to veto the measure.
80 US Mayor's Support Gay Marriage
New York’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, Chicago’s mayor; Rham Emanuel and Houston’s mayor, Annise Parker, along with 80 US mayors are all part of a major campaign which supports Gay marriage.
Gay marriage was allowed in California for a brief time in 2008, but it was later banned by a referendum which re-wrote the state’s constitution to restrict marriage to unions between a man and a woman.
Some Australian Law Makers Want Same Sex Marriage Legalised
Gay marriage is widely supported in Australia by many public figures and polititians. It was reported on the 11 Oct 2011 that the Premier of South Australia Mike Rann has called for the Australian Federal Parliament to legalise same sex marriage.
Mike Rann has asked that the marriage act be changed to enable homosexual couples to be married legally. Mr Rann has also said that he respects the people who disagree with the same sex marriage laws, but he thinks civil unions are an escape clause for those who want see marriage reserved for men and women.
News.com.au confirmed that there are currently two gay marriage bills currently before the federal parliament and that these bills will be discussed in the next few days. At least that’s movement, the issue is being talked about again, however I think we have a way to go before same sex couples can legally marry in Australia.
Sources:
The Official Sun Herald newspaper online
The Official News.com.au breaking news online
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