Washington state Supreme Court rules against
same-sex marriage

Marriage Equality USA appalled

July 26, 2006

Today, in a heartbreaking 5-4 decision, the Washington Supreme Court held that, in part, because different sex couples can procreate -- the legislature can determine to exclude same-sex couples from the rights and protections of marriage," said Davina Kotulski, Ph.D. Executive Director of Marriage Equality, USA and Author of Why You Should Give A Damn About Gay Marriage.

Kotulski and her partner, Molly McKay, have been working to secure the right to marry for almost ten years.

"This reliance on procreation is a ruse for legalized homophobia and justification for a second-class citizenship for LGBT Americans. Same-sex couples are having and raising children together too - why should their families be harmed based on how the children were brought into the family. Plenty of different-sex couples marry and never have children or adopt children or have children from other relationships. The court's rationale is not rational and this decision simply will not stand the test of time. Marriage Equality USA will not rest until all Americans are provided true equality under the law," said Kotulski.

This ruling comes despite a recent UCLA study confirms that not only is marriage equality the right thing to do from a civil rights perspective, it is also the right thing to do from an economic perspective.

The study, "The Impact on Washington's Budget of Allowing Same-Sex Couples to Marry," concludes that the state will save $4 to $6 million dollars annually in increased retail sales tax revenue and decreased public assistance program.

In a dissenting opinion, Washington Supreme Court Justice Bridge wrote "The impact of this case upon the plaintiff couples and their children is both far reaching and deeply saddening. The impact extends to all of Washington's gay and lesbian citizens and to the many fair-minded Washington citizens who hoped for a different result in this case. And, I dare say, the result that we reach today will be remembered more for what it does not do than for what it does."

"We must remember that despite the handful of states providing some protections for same-sex couples, most state and federal laws continue to deny same-sex couples access to any of the hundreds of state rights and 1,138 federal rights, benefits, and protections that come with civil marriage recognition, creating a second class citizenry in direct violation of the equal protection guarantees contained in the U.S. Constitution." stated Kotulski.

"We will not rest until equality is the law of the land from sea to shining sea."

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