14
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F ebruary 3.200b
northwest
AUTOMOTIVE
C ustom
SCENTING
Washington State
Bans Discrimination
Bill creates statewide protection for sexual minorities
by Sarah Dougher
Mechanics that
fix everything.
Including your conscience.
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■M he Washington Senate passed a bill
Jan. 27 protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender people from discrimina-
tion, making Washington the 17th state to
ban discrimination based on sexual orien-
tation and rhe seventh state based on gender iden­
tity. For procedural reasons the hill was sent hack to
the House, which already passed it. It now goes to
Gov. Christine Gregoire, who pledged to sign it.
The hill passed on a largely party line 25-23 vote.
A single Republican, former GOP leader Bill
Finkbeiner, joined 24 majority Democrats in favor of
the plan. Democrats Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam and
Tim Sheldon of Potlatch voted against the plan.
The measure adds “sexual orientation” to a
state law. that bans discrimination in housing, State Rep. Jim Moeller thanked, among others,
his "hunky boyfriend" for support in passing the
employment and insurance.
landmark anti-discrimination bill.
A broad-based coalition of religious organiza­
tions, large and small businesses, civil rights groups of Americans now live in a state where it’s illegal
to fire a hard-working employee just for being gay.
and concerned citizens advocated for the bill.
Leading supporters—including
Washington
“Businesses support nondiscrimination protec­
tions because recruiting and retaining the best talent
employers Microsoft, Boeing, Corbis, Hewlett
Packard, Nike and RealNetworks—weathered calls
is good for their bottom line,” said Solmonese. “Fair-
minded consumers, employees and investors will not
for boycotts by extremist organizations.
soon forget their leadership on ensuring fairness.”
In a party that mirrored gatherings throughout
A sexual orientation nondiscrimination bill
the state, a group of about 20 supporters came
together Jan. 27 at Northbank Tavern in Vancouver
was first introduced in the Washington Legislature
in 1976. It failed by one vote in the state Senate
to celebrate in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
last year.
Convened by the organizers of Vancouver’s Pride
“This victory is another watershed moment in
festival, Saturday in the Park, the group was
the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans­
addressed by state Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver.
“This is one of the most moving things I’ve wit­ gender rights,” said Matt Foreman, executive direc­
tor of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
nessed in my political career,” he said. “1 would
have never thought this day would happen.. .where
“Today, after 30 long years of struggle, the people of
Washington state—through their Legislature—
hearts are changed, laws are changed.”
stcxxl up to the threats, bullying and fear-monger-
When asked how the legal changes made her
ing of the forces of political and religious extrem­
feel, community activist Louise Debreczeny
ism and said ‘NO to discrimination!’ ”
observed: “There is a subtle change in my own per­
Opponents of the Washington equality bill
sonal fear. I do feel different, more secure.”
included Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Redmond’s
There was a palpable relief in the room as the
Antioch Bible Church, who threatened boycotts
group discussed issues such as coming out at public
against corporations that supported the bill and
schools and local public sector jobs.
urged people to huy up the companies’ stock and
On the national level, Human Rights
Campaign presidenf Joe Solmonese noted: “States dump, it to drive prices down; the Washington
like Washington are picking up the slack as fairness
State Catholic Conference; and the Faith and
Freedom Network, an evangelical lobbying group,
remains stalled in Congress. More than one-third
a
“Thirty years is a long time to wait for
equality," said Fran Dunaway, executive
director of Equal Rights Washington.
“With the passage of this historic legis­
lation, Washington joins a growing list of
states protecting every citizen equally.
Equal Rights Washington is grateful for
the continued nurturing and support of
national organizations like the National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Human
Rights Campaign and so many local
groups like Religious Coalition tor
Equality, Greater Seattle Business
Association, the Pride Foundation and
Louise Debreczeny (left) and Gina Hoggan work to
Western States Center to achieve this
organize Saturday in the Park, Vancouver's annual
long-sought victory.” ©
Pride celebration.