Story Published:
Jan 20, 2006 at 10:23 AM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 1:11 AM PST
OLYMPIA - The state House passed a gay civil rights
bill Friday, sending the measure to the Senate where a Republican's
change of heart may help it become law.
The measure passed on a 60-37 vote, with six Republicans joining
54 Democrats to pass it.
Under the bill, "sexual orientation" would be added to a state
law that bans discrimination in housing, employment and insurance.
Businesses with fewer than eight employees would be exempt.
Sixteen states have passed similar laws.
"This legislation is about more than just changing the law, it
is about sending a message," said Rep. Ed Murray, a Seattle
Democrat who has sponsored the measure for 11 years. "A message
that the United States and Washington state is a place of
tolerance. A message that in Washington state the American dream
applies not to just some of our citizens but to all of our
citizens, including our gay and lesbian citizens."
The measure was first introduced in 1976. The state's first
openly gay lawmaker, Democrat Cal Anderson of Seattle, sponsored it
for eight years before he died of AIDS in 1995.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has said she will sign the bill if it gets
to her desk.
The bill failed in the Senate last year by one vote. Sen. Bill
Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, announced earlier this month that he would
switch his vote to yes, all but assuring its passage
House Republicans argued Friday that the bill was an unnecessary
expansion of government.
Rep. Don Cox, R-Colfax, said that while House Republicans share
Murray's commitment against hate and bigotry, they are concerned
the measure could result in lawsuits against people who don't
realize the person they failed to hire, or fired, was gay.
"This bill doesn't lead to love tolerance and understanding,"
he said. "It overreaches in its intent and leads to rigidity. It
overreaches in its application and leads to uncertainty. And it
overreaches in its administration and leads to intimidation."
Republicans amended the bill on the House floor to add that it
would not modify or change state marriage laws. A state Supreme
Court ruling on gay marriage could come at any time.
Four other amendments from Republicans were rejected, including
a clause that would require the measure to be approved by the
public at the next general election.
"We have to take leadership and action," said Rep. Eric
Pettigrew, D-Seattle. "We cannot pass this on to the voters."
The bill has a public hearing before a Senate committee Tuesday,
and could reach the Senate floor by the end of next week.
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The gay civil rights bill is House Bill 2661.
