Senate victory and the bellyaching in defeat
In case you hadn't heard, the state Senate passed HB 2661 today, with amendments, by a margin of 25-23 (Sen. Bob McCaslin of Spokane Valley was absent). The House must vote again on the bill to send it to Gov. Gregoire, to accept the Senate amendments. This culminates decades of work by gay rights supporters and more recently by Rep. Ed Murray [D-Seattle], extending non-discrimination rights to gays and lesbians statewide (some cities already had such laws passed). While I'm extremely happy to see this finally pass, and for once am happy that Chris Gregoire occupies the governor's office, I can't help but chuckle at the reaction of the opposition in loss. First, Sen. Val Stevens [R-Arlington] claims, "this is a very sad day for the state of Washington." Yes, Senator Stevens, i'm sure you'll be up late each and every night damning the day that I can't be fired from work for the gender of my significant other. So unfair, I know. Second, and even more ludicrous, is Sen. Bob Oke [R-Port Orchard] in voting against these basic protections despite supposedly having a lesbian daughter, based on the oft-mentioned biblical (Old Testament, mind you) condemnation of homosexuality. Judge not lest ye be judged, Senator. Only those without sin should cast the first stone.
Amazing, even us deviants can read that thing.
posted by TMW @ 5:51 PM
2 Comments:
If his daughter is lucky, she may be able to give thanks for not having a shitty mother.
I agree. What's the point of choosing something that gives you a hell of a lot more trouble and less rights? Even the Republican theory is flawed -- in my mind, the theory that one chooses their own religion is on much more solid footing than choosing their sexuality, and it too is, rightly, included in the non-discrimination laws.
To be completely honest, ten years ago I probably would have considered myself a Republican, albeit a liberal one, in the mold of a Rudy Giuliani or a Dan Evans. However, the current GOP sucks so bad that I want little to do with them, aside from still voting for the good ones. I guess that sort of thing comes with being independent-minded.
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