posted on September 9, 2004 06:38:43 PM newJudge Rules for Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples in Washington
September 7, 2004
OLYMPIA, WA -- In the American Civil Liberties Union's lawsuit for marriage equality, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks ruled today that the state's laws that bar same-sex couples from marriage violate the state constitution's guarantee of equal protection for all citizens. The government cannot give the legal benefits of marriage to one group of adult citizens but not to another.
The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU in Thurston County Superior Court in April on behalf of 11 couples from across the state who wish to marry in Washington or to have their marriage recognized under Washington law. Plaintiffs include a police officer, a firefighter, a banker, a nurse, a retired judge, a college professor, a business executive, and others. They reside from Seattle to Spokane and from Port Townsend to Hoquiam.
"This is an important victory for fairness and equality. The judge ruled that government must treat same-sex couples the same as other couples. Two consenting adults who wish to enter into the commitment of marriage cannot be denied its benefits simply because they are of the same gender," said Kathleen Taylor, Executive Director of the ACLU of Washington.
Current law deprives same-sex couples of numerous rights available as a direct benefit of the marriage contract. Among these are community property rights; access to family court; joint assessment of income and needs for determination of state assistance programs; access during health care emergencies and the ability to participate in health care decisions; survivor benefits; and authority to make decisions regarding funeral arrangements.
The court rebuffed arguments that same-sex marriage destabilizes the family, noting that same sex couples have already been found to serve as capable foster and adoptive parents. In his ruling, Judge Hicks pointed out that granting marriage equality to same-sex couples strengthens our community, saying, "Our fundamental principle is that we share the freedom to live with and respect each other and share the same privileges or immunities. We need each other."
Judge Hicks concluded that, "Democracy means people with different values living together as one people. What can reconcile our differences is the feeling that with these differences we are still one people. This is the democracy of conscience."
Working for the ACLU on the case are Paul Lawrence, Matthew Segal, and Amit Ranade of the law firm Preston Gates & Ellis; Karolyn Hicks of the firm Stokes Lawrence, Roger Leishman of the firm Davis Wright Tremaine; and ACLU of Washington staff attorney Aaron Caplan.
In April 2004, King County Superior Court Judge William Downing (in Anderson v. King County) ruled that Washington's laws limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples violate the state constitution. In that case, eight same-sex couples represented by the Northwest Women's Law Center and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund sued King County for refusing to give them marriage licenses. Both rulings are expected to be heard by the Washington Supreme Court, most likely on the same day.
The ACLU has long worked to secure equal treatment under the law for all citizens. In 1971, the ACLU of Washington represented John Singer and Paul Barwick when they sought to obtain a marriage license in Washington. Unfortunately, the state court of appeals sided with the state, ruling that marriage is the "appropriate and desirable forum for procreation and the rearing of children" and therefore not applicable to gays and lesbians. Judge Hicks, however, said that "the community, and its values, has substantially changed from the times of Singer" and that the Singer case "cries out for reexamination...."
posted on September 9, 2004 07:59:28 PM new
twelve,
Did you notice in that story that nowhere did it mention the bibble, or reference to any god, just the relationship to fairness and equality to all. And as Martha Stewart would say, "That's a good thing".
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on September 9, 2004 08:23:07 PM newYeager I don't care... homosexuality is WRONG..
Twelve, don't have a temper tantrum, OK? If you do, then your mother will not let you go out and play after dinner.
Really, says who? Why? Because the bibble, (rhymes with dribble), says so. Well, in case your not following the whole idea. The State doesn't recognize the bibble.
I'll let you know IF that happens. But the ACLU will be in the fore front to make sure EVERYONE'S right is observed, not just the bibble thumpers or the majority groups.
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on September 9, 2004 08:26:20 PM new
Whose my mother yeager? Didn't we go here before? So you and logansdad are butt buddies? That the reason you are so hot on homosexuals...
posted on September 10, 2004 06:18:48 AM newSo you and logansdad are butt buddies?
Just like you and Linda are joined at the hip?
Don't knock homosexuality until you have tried it. It is just like apple pie.....MMMMM MMMMM GOOOD
Let's have a BBQ, Texas style, ROAST BUSH
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YOU CAN'T HAVE BULLSH** WITH OUT BUSH.
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We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union....
.....one Nation indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for ALL.
[ edited by logansdad on Sep 10, 2004 10:13 AM ]
posted on September 10, 2004 01:14:36 PM new
parklane,
The major difference here is that the Gay Marriage issue is between two consenting adults.
The issue with pedophiles is that the adult controls the child in an act of sexual violation. It is need to control and have power over another person. And in my book, that is wrong.
Additionally, the pedophile can be a male or female, and the victim can also be either male or female.
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
Prevent Bigotry through Education.
