Next step for gay marriage law set to take effect next month
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington voters have upheld a state law passed earlier this year allowing same-sex marriage in the state, and gay and lesbian couples can start marrying as early as next month.
With the passage of Referendum 74 this week, Washington is now one of eight states that have legalized gay marriage. Maine and Maryland approved same-sex marriage with public votes this week, and six other states - New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont - and the District of Columbia had already enacted laws or issued court rulings that permit same-sex marriage.
R-74 asked people to approve or reject a state law legalizing same-sex marriage that legislators passed earlier this year. That law was signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire but has never taken effect. It was on hold pending the election's outcome, but 53 percent of voters were approving it as of Friday as votes continued to be counted, and opponents conceded Thursday.
Here's how Washington state and counties are preparing for the law taking effect on Dec. 6, and what same-sex couples can expect.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES: The state Department of Health is in the process of changing the language on marriage certificate and divorce forms. Currently, marriage certificates use the words "bride" and "groom." Spokesman Tim Church said that they are proposing that it be changed to "Spouse A" and "Spouse B." Church said they are also proposing that gender be added to the form so that the state, which already keeps track of the number of marriages and divorces in the state, can now break the data out to reflect same-sex marriages and dissolutions. A public meeting will be held on Nov. 28 to discuss the final language of the forms.
"It's moving ahead quickly, because when the law goes into effect, we want to have that form ready," he said. "We know the demand is there."
COUNTIES: Counties started preparing earlier this year once the law was passed. Vicky Dalton, the Spokane County Auditor, was designated as a point person for all of the counties on preparing for same-sex marriage.
She said that many counties, especially urban ones like King County, will see a sizeable increase in volume on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7., especially because they'll see couples who want to get their licenses and certificates in advance of Dec. 12, for the novelty 12-12-12 anniversary date.
"We're going to have two waves hit us at the same time," she said.
King County has already updated its website announcing that licenses for same-sex couples will be issued and saying details will be posted on the site soon.
Dalton said that there are essentially three forms involved for marriage: an application the couple fills out at the county, the license they are issued to give to the person who will officiate their wedding, and the certificate that is the actual marriage contract recorded by the state. She said most counties have already changed the language on their applications and licenses to reflect same-sex marriages, however, she's worried that counties won't have time to update their systems with the new certificate language based on the tight timeframe between the Nov. 28 Department of Health meeting and when the law takes effect Dec. 6.
"With the implementation date, it's unlikely all 39 counties will be able to get that programed into their system," she said.
However, if that occurs, Dalton said counties would just issue the old forms instead of the new.
"We'll be ready on Dec. 6 to be issuing marriage licenses and certificates to any couple that is qualified under the law," she said.
FEDERAL BENEFITS: Married same-sex couples will still be denied access to federal pensions, health insurance and other government benefits available to heterosexual couples because the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, bars federal recognition of gay unions. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take up gay marriage sometime during the current term. Several pending cases challenge the federal benefit provision of DOMA, and a separate appeal asks the justices to decide whether federal courts were correct in striking down California's Proposition 8, the amendment that outlawed gay marriage after it had been approved by courts in the nation's largest state.
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS: There are currently 9,901 domestic partnership registrations with the secretary of state's office. Same-sex domestic partners have two years to either dissolve their relationship or get married. Most same-sex domestic partnerships that aren't ended prior to June 30, 2014, would automatically become marriages. Domestic partnerships would remain for senior couples, both heterosexual and gay, where at least one partner is 62 years old or older. That provision was included in the state's first domestic partnership law of 2007 to help heterosexual seniors who don't remarry out of fear they could lose certain pension or Social Security benefits.
With the passage of Referendum 74 this week, Washington is now one of eight states that have legalized gay marriage. Maine and Maryland approved same-sex marriage with public votes this week, and six other states - New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont - and the District of Columbia had already enacted laws or issued court rulings that permit same-sex marriage.
R-74 asked people to approve or reject a state law legalizing same-sex marriage that legislators passed earlier this year. That law was signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire but has never taken effect. It was on hold pending the election's outcome, but 53 percent of voters were approving it as of Friday as votes continued to be counted, and opponents conceded Thursday.
Here's how Washington state and counties are preparing for the law taking effect on Dec. 6, and what same-sex couples can expect.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES: The state Department of Health is in the process of changing the language on marriage certificate and divorce forms. Currently, marriage certificates use the words "bride" and "groom." Spokesman Tim Church said that they are proposing that it be changed to "Spouse A" and "Spouse B." Church said they are also proposing that gender be added to the form so that the state, which already keeps track of the number of marriages and divorces in the state, can now break the data out to reflect same-sex marriages and dissolutions. A public meeting will be held on Nov. 28 to discuss the final language of the forms.
"It's moving ahead quickly, because when the law goes into effect, we want to have that form ready," he said. "We know the demand is there."
COUNTIES: Counties started preparing earlier this year once the law was passed. Vicky Dalton, the Spokane County Auditor, was designated as a point person for all of the counties on preparing for same-sex marriage.
She said that many counties, especially urban ones like King County, will see a sizeable increase in volume on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7., especially because they'll see couples who want to get their licenses and certificates in advance of Dec. 12, for the novelty 12-12-12 anniversary date.
"We're going to have two waves hit us at the same time," she said.
King County has already updated its website announcing that licenses for same-sex couples will be issued and saying details will be posted on the site soon.
Dalton said that there are essentially three forms involved for marriage: an application the couple fills out at the county, the license they are issued to give to the person who will officiate their wedding, and the certificate that is the actual marriage contract recorded by the state. She said most counties have already changed the language on their applications and licenses to reflect same-sex marriages, however, she's worried that counties won't have time to update their systems with the new certificate language based on the tight timeframe between the Nov. 28 Department of Health meeting and when the law takes effect Dec. 6.
"With the implementation date, it's unlikely all 39 counties will be able to get that programed into their system," she said.
However, if that occurs, Dalton said counties would just issue the old forms instead of the new.
"We'll be ready on Dec. 6 to be issuing marriage licenses and certificates to any couple that is qualified under the law," she said.
FEDERAL BENEFITS: Married same-sex couples will still be denied access to federal pensions, health insurance and other government benefits available to heterosexual couples because the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, bars federal recognition of gay unions. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take up gay marriage sometime during the current term. Several pending cases challenge the federal benefit provision of DOMA, and a separate appeal asks the justices to decide whether federal courts were correct in striking down California's Proposition 8, the amendment that outlawed gay marriage after it had been approved by courts in the nation's largest state.
DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS: There are currently 9,901 domestic partnership registrations with the secretary of state's office. Same-sex domestic partners have two years to either dissolve their relationship or get married. Most same-sex domestic partnerships that aren't ended prior to June 30, 2014, would automatically become marriages. Domestic partnerships would remain for senior couples, both heterosexual and gay, where at least one partner is 62 years old or older. That provision was included in the state's first domestic partnership law of 2007 to help heterosexual seniors who don't remarry out of fear they could lose certain pension or Social Security benefits.
Just had to share another's comments from Facebook: why gay marriage and marijuana were legalized on the same day. Leviticus 20:13 â âIf a man lay with another man, let him be stoned.â We've just been interpreting it wrong all these years.
Ive been married for 25 years & do not plan on ever marrying again so it really doesnt matter to me what they put on paper. The thought of gays/lesbians grosses me out but I dont care what they do, as long as it isnt shoved in my face.
 @Need2Know I'll bet you gross a lot of people out, so it's a wash.
Say what you will, on December 6th, by the vote of the people of Washington State in which the majority triumphed...gays and lesbians will be allowed to marry. My guess is, the world will not come to an end. And if it does, you can say "I told you so"...otherwise, get over yourself or move to a less progressive and inclusive state that supports your ideology and where you will obviously feel more comfortable.
I am glad this finally passed. Now can we please get people's bedroom life off the agenda for a while.
 @Jatok I didn't want to go there to begin with.  It shouldn't have had to get this far.
@DeadRabitz You are right. But now I see the playing ground as pretty level and I'm hoping at least for awhile everyone will just mainstream and get on with their business.
Oh for crying out loud people, GROW UP! It's a stupid piece of paper! Who cares what it says so long as the couple loves and respects each other. My best friend and her husband call each other spouse all the time because that is what they are! I won't care what a piece of paper says so long as it says I am married to the man I love. At least I can have some fun with the man I marry one day by fighting over who gets to be spouse A!
@MoonDragonWitch Well, spouse used to be either husband or wife. Now it has been redefined in Washington. Some of us want to keep this straight.
 @STK You do realize that spouse will still mean husband or wife don't you? No one has changed the definition of spouse. So, now that we have that cleared up, is there anything else you'd like to complain about?
 @STK Does really require an answer?  If you have to ask, you really aren't old...oops I mean mature enough to be given the answer. Why do you care? I'm really curious as to why you need to know. But, I'm always curious as to why some straight folks are always wanting to know what goes on in the bedrooms of gays and lesbians--'splain that one to me, will you?Â
@chickysgirl When male and male are married, which is which?
 @STK  @MoonDragonWitch You do know that they are not saying that you have to go by their definition right? It's just a term on a piece of paper, you can define your marriage (if you have one) however you wish. Marriage to me means two people who want to spend the rest of their lives together, to be partners in supporting each other and their kids, and love each other enough to stick together through thick and thin. If that happens to be two guys or two gals, then I'm happy for them!
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Honestly, I don't care who gets married so long as their consenting adults who know what they are getting into (and hopefully love each other).
 @STK  @EMDF9A Misleading propaganda? Did you even see the "reject" ad? That was full of misleading statements and outright LIES! By the way, I know a lot of people outside of King county that voted in favor of R-74, myself included. Also, you can still be called "father of the bride", it's not like the minister will have to say the terms that are on the paper!
 @STK  @MoonDragonWitch In that case you would get an F.Â
@chickysgirl Reserve Spouse A and Spouse B for the 2% Obviously they do not have gender identity crisis. Bride and groom for the 98% Give people a choice and not forced them to accept.
 @STK  Really? This has your panties all in a wad? Unless you're the one who has to type it on to the form template, why do you care? And really, Spouse A and Spouse B is too complex for you? Unless you're planning on remarrying, it should mean absolutely nothing to you. Geez....talk about getting your stress level up over something that doesn't affect you...a little crazy if you ask me.
@EMDF9A Really tired of gays fabricated everyone that opposes their lifestyle as bigots, haters, racists, KKK, whatever. I am not against same sex lifestyle, but I am against redefining marriage and changing terms just so gays could have their way. It is ridiculous that the terms "groom" and "bride" could no longer be used on paper. We now have to use spouse A and spouse B. I would like to be called "father of the bride" some day instead "father of spouse A". Majority of the counties in Washington opposes R-74. Only reason this got passed because is of King County and the $13 million ad campaigns. And misleading propaganda, if you are against gay rights, you are against civil rights, you are a racist, you are a bigot.
 @EMDF9A That effect is negated by choice. Do you even try to think beyond emotion?
Why not have both? Because sooner than later one version will be considered the "lesser" or "Monor" version and that will provide amunition for bigots like yourself to implement second class citizen status on those that dont have the "preferred" version. Seperate is NOT equal. EVER!
@MoonDragonWitch If this piece of paper is not a big deal, why bother changing it. After many, many years of usage it should be preserved. If it is slightly a problem, why not have both? Traditional or new to satisfy both parties. Why change it to make it more confusing to one party, Spouse A, Spouse B. Heck at this rate might as well make it Subject A, Subject B, Subject C, Subject D.
@STK No individual or entity holds the trademark or copyright to the term. No one complains or protests when a vinyard or restaraunt list it describing flavors or ingredients. If the state cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation or religion when applying for a driver's or business licence, yet somehow it applies when considered for a state issued marriage license? Nope, I think you're wrong.Â
 @chickysgirl  @STK It disgusted me that it was on the ballot, but only because I should not have the right to vote on whether or not you have basic civil rights.Â
Since it was before me as a voter, I voted in favor, hoping it's the last time anybody's civil rights are on a voting ballot, at the mercy of other citizens.Â
@STK Gosh you are obtuse
 @STK If the law required only same sex marriages, you would not be happy. Because you apparently like the opposite sex. You would have the same rights as everyone else to marry someone of the same sex, but heaven forbid you should fall in love with someone of the opposite sex--what do you do? Come on, you are just showing your inability to come up with a decent argument against same sex marriage when you have to make idiotic statements like that. You rail against being called hateful and a bigot, but guess what--when you simply can't stand the idea of someone being different from yourself and you want to deny them happiness, that can only be called bigotry.
@chickysgirl If you're a female you have the right to marry a man. Same right.
 @STK  How many times must it be said? If I had the same rights to marry the person I love (an adult, not a blood relative) years ago, no one woud have had vote on this issue and we would'nt be discussing it right now. Have you been hiding under a rock for the past 10 years? How do you not know these answers to questions and require being reminded? But the deal, is we do have the same rights now, at least on the state level.
@chickysgirl @STK Be specific, what rights do not have?
 @STK You are correct, at least on the state level, all because we were forced to vote on it, and we, the people of the state passed it by a majority of the voters. So, as of last Tuesday, you are right. Before then.....we did not.
@what? Homosexuals have the same rights as heterosexuals have since the beginning in this state. Whatever rights I have, homosexuals have the same.
 @MoonDragonWitch You dare insult the god of the Statists? It's more than a piece of paper. It's sacred. It's given to them by the most benevolent and holy institution known to man -- the government. On a serious note, I don't get why Christians want government to have power over marriage. Does not make sense.
IRS forms don't say "Husband" and "Wife" They say "Your Name" and "Spouse's name. So when DOMA dies nothing will have to be changed. I don't see why people are having such a coniption fit. I am THRILLED. I don't even remember what it said to put where when I got married, do any of you, really? And now you take umbrage that it's changing so more loving committed people can get married? Love one another. <3
Dec. 6th...."a date which will live in infamy."
 @Controlled-Insanity will you join me and cry our asses off on that day ?
cool, anyone need a photog for the event of engagement photos, let me know.Â
Spouse A and Spouse B*Facepalm*Â
Children will soon be required to call their Dad or Mom, Parent A or Parent B if non-gay or Parent AA or Parent BB if Gay.  They will also be referred  to as just Child X or Child Y or until such time as they decide what best fits their gender identity.
You made me laugh like crazy :)
 @Tim Lane "I now pronounce you spouse A and spouse B. You may now kiss your spouse." Man, that just really sounds so special doesn't it?(smh)
 @Tim Lane Well, it's saner than calling a man a bride and a woman a groom. We don't need LGBT identity confusion reinforced by forms, do we?
Why not just have two forms?Â
 @Bianca Separate is not equal. Don't need to two forms. Marriage is a contract between two people to intertwine all aspects of their lives legally. Don't need special forms.
@quidproquo -- It's NOT separate it's a choice. There is no discrimination in different forms. It's MY marriage certificate and if I want it to say "Bride" and "Groom" then it should say that. If you want yours to say "Spouse A" and "Spouse B" or whatever, then fine, but stop trying to make me conform to your wishes. This will never end if they do not realize there are differences between homosexual marriages and heterosexual marriages and what is written on MY marriage certificate is one of them.
 @chickysgirl  @Bianca Well, chickysgirl, now that you've put it that way, I would very much like mine to read BRIDE AND GROOM DAMMIT!, just like that, all  in caps. :^D Â
Heck, even SPOUSE A AND SPOUSE B DAMMIT! has a nice ring to it, no pun intended.Â
Seriously, congrats to you and chicky, and I hope you get to do something special on or around Dec. 6 to celebrate finally getting the same basic civil rights we all have.Â
 @Bianca I'm thinking you need to check with your doctor about upping your blood pressure meds....I hope you don't have a stroke while typing about "I WANT IT TO SAY BRIDE AND GROOM DAMMIT!" I'm serious...
 @Justaguy This^. Been married going on 16 years and I do not refer back to the original license and rarely need the cert for anything. It's a government form, not what you will say in your vows or will refer to your future spouse as. I personally use the term spouse all the time, most forms are gender neutral so ask for your name and then your spouses name, so this just falls in line with that.Â
To the folks who don't agree like Bianca-If you are having a conniption over something like, you are just looking for something to hate on. Or maybe you are the bridezilla type that goes ape over the little things for the wedding, missing the bigger picture- that you are getting married and should get your priorities in order. Frankly, with an attitude like that, and you always expected to get married and no one ever opposed your rights, I don't expect marriage to go well for you or others like you since you run over others rights so easily. This is not about you, it is just a damn form that the government uses and we want it simplified.Â
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But it isn't YOUR marriage certificate that is being discussed. It is a legal form.
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Reduce the bureaucracy red tape and waste and have one form and use the most generic term that still legally describe the participants in the contract. Spouse A and Spouse B makes the most sense. I mean really just how much government waste are you in support of?
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No one is asking that is social events such as a religious marriage ceremony that the verbiage is limited to what is written on the paper work.
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As a person that has been happily married for over ten years I can honestly say that I haven't looked at our marriage certificate in over a decade, probably because like all of our legal documents it is safely stored in a safety deposit box as it should be. But then again I don't need to reference it to remember that the lovely lady I married is my wife.
@Bianca Bianca, I am sorry you feel that you are hurt because of this. Really you wont be. Every other Washintonian who applies for a marriage license after December 06, 2012 will say the same thing. If you REALLY want it to say "Bride" and "Groom" Why dont you hightail it down to the courthouse on Monnday & get your before the change is made... There.. All better.
@quidproquo @Bianca 98% does not = 2%. Use both. There is no discrimination. Quit trying to make the 98% gay here. We like the word bride and groom, husband and wife. We do not want to known as Spouse A or Spouse B, but husband and wife or bride and groom. Gays can use this form or the Spouse A or Spouse B form which will fit them better. Where is the discrimination with 2 forms?
 @STK  @janthewordnerd  @quidproquo  @Bianca No, STK. In other words, grow up.
@janthewordnerd @quidproquo @Bianca In other words, be gay!
 @STK  @quidproquo  @Bianca Remember this isn't really "gay marriage." It's MARRIAGE EQUALITY. Any two consenting adults can marry. Some may not be gay, but transgendered or other. The point is not to fixate on gender-role socialization and give up the fairy tale.
 @what?  @STK OMG first they were just trying to ruin my marriage, now they;rre trying to make me GAY!!!!! It IS a slippery slope!!
@quidproquo @STK --- But you have no problem telling me what I supposedly want, right? Have one form for all I care, but then leave it blank and give the couple the choice as to what they want on THEIR marriage certificate. Put "Groom" and "Groom" for all I care, just don't take away MY right to have MY marriage certificate say "Bride" and "Groom." That is all I am saying.Â
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@STK Oh, where do we start...
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"Quit using the mistreatment of blacks in past as an example."
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Nope, it's a legitimate comparison. The issue of marriage equality is a civil rights issue, just as the mistreatment of the past.
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"This has nothing to do with the mistreatment of homosexuals."
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This has everything to do with the mistreatment of the LGBT community.
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"If anything, it is a mistreatment of the 98% so the 2% could have their lifestyle in place."
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Wrong again. This is about even and equal access to rights and privelages provided by the state. If 2% of the population are mistreated and discriminated against, we need to stop the discrimination not find ways to justify it.
@STK "Quit trying to make the 98% gay here."
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Nice. Back to sensitivity training for you... I would also wager that you have your own chair in the HR office...
 @EMDF9A No it's not. Giving the choice between two forms, as STK proposes, is nothing like segregation. For your comparison to be valid, blacks would have had the choice to use the white or black drinking fountains instead of being forced to use the black only fountains. Â
@EMDF9A Quit using the mistreatment of blacks in past as an example. Over 60% of blacks do not approve same-sex marriage. This has nothing to do with the mistreatment of homosexuals. If anything, it is a mistreatment of the 98% so the 2% could have their lifestyle in place.
 @quidproquo  @STK  @Bianca Your understanding of equality is far from the definition.
@STK You know thats like trying to justify seperate drinking fountains for non-white folks 40 years ago. I'm sure the good-ol boys thought that was just fine and they liked having a "colored" fountain. The problem is its not right. The same with the marriage forma. Washington state has made all citizens equal under the law in regard to marriage and the language on those documents needs to reflect that.
 @STK  @quidproquo  @Bianca As a straight married woman, don't tell me what I supposedly want. I want equality.