Wash. joins states filing briefs on gay marriage
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington is joining more than a dozen other states filing briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of gay marriage.
State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Thursday that he joined friend-of-the-court briefs in two landmark cases - one urging the justices to strike down California's Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriage, and another challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act. That filing argues that DOMA violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution by denying federal benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married under the laws of their state.
Washington voters approved gay marriage in last fall's election. Ferguson says the state has a clear interest in supporting marriage equality. He notes that some Washington residents who are federal employees could be denied benefits under DOMA.
State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Thursday that he joined friend-of-the-court briefs in two landmark cases - one urging the justices to strike down California's Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriage, and another challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act. That filing argues that DOMA violates the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution by denying federal benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married under the laws of their state.
Washington voters approved gay marriage in last fall's election. Ferguson says the state has a clear interest in supporting marriage equality. He notes that some Washington residents who are federal employees could be denied benefits under DOMA.
Give them their rights, let them mainstream, and then allow for the rights of others. There is lots of room for compromise and one group or the other doesn't always have to have their own way 100% of the time.
5
Sick of the gay stuff, c'mon just give it a rest and let these peeps do whatever we do as straights.
Did the people of California vote on Prop 8?
When the people of California vote on an illegally unconstitutional initiative, it doesn't matter how they voted - it's still unconstitutional.
And ANY law that abridges the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution IS unconstitutional.Â
But that doesn't seem to matter to folks who can't think past thier personal problems about 'gay'.
@KOMO Viewer Yes, but civil rights should not be up for a vote. It was only in 1995 that the majority of Americans agreed that interracial marriage was "ok". That's 130 years after the Civil War! Think of, "We hold these truths to be self-evident...".
Can we get this over with so the state can move on to wasting money on other things that don't matter?
Let people marry whoever/whatever they want, it's their business. The state shouldn't be involved with marriage at all.
I'm sick of issues like this distracting everyone when there are more important issues, like the fact that WA is DEAD BROKE and they think raising taxes is the answer.Â
The problem is that there is an elitist right wing collaboration of groups that insists that only THEY have the right answer when it comes to gay rights and gay marriage. They wish to impose THIER view of what is right and wrong upon ALL Americans.
They will not allow as you wish "Let people marry whoever/whatever they want" - they demand that only THIER view of marriage exist as the legal standard.
@FormerMarineSgt What State are you living in? Washington State hasn't had a right-wing Governor in 30 years, let alone an 'elitist' group. Marriage Equality PASSED. Where's this conspiracy you speak of? Lay off the kool-aid and get a life.
EXACTLY! What if my religion only allowed us to wear a red shoe on the left foot and a green shoe on the right. Would I have the right to tell other adults how to dress because of my choice of religion?
I'm sorry, you don't quite have the situation quite right:Â It would not be: What if my religion only allowed us to wear a red shoe on the left foot and a green shoe on the right?.
It would be:Â My religion only allows us to wear a red shoe on the left foot and a green shoe on the right AND I demand that everyone be forced to follow that belief.
Yes, some thing like 268 friends of the court did including Starbucks and others. It's great to see this much support.