CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
When Washington's state legislature passed the marriage equality bill in February, it marked the culmination of a 17-year effort led by Sen. Ed Murray. The gay lawmaker took office in 1995, just as the state's Defense of Marriage Act, which outlawed same-sex marriage, was introduced. Republicans then in control of the state legislature considered the debate so offensive that they ordered the pages, including Murray's nephew, removed from the House floor.
Antigay rhetoric at the capitol in Olympia is one of many things Murray has worked methodically to change in a career that has taken him from the House to the Senate, where he chairs the powerful Ways and Means Committee. A lawmaker from what he calls a "very, very, very liberal Democratic" Seattle district, he pushed early for key committee assignments, like budget and transportation, recognizing that being identified with brick-and-mortar issues and crafting alliances would help him advance LGBT rights legislation in the "moderate" state. He first collaborated with Gov. Christine Gregoire, who proposed the marriage equality bill, on an antibullying bill a decade ago, when she was attorney general.
"I believed that part of the way I was going to move this forward was by being viewed as someone who could lead on other issues and could work with people on other issues and build relationships with members on other issues," he says.
The grandson of Irish Catholic immigrants, Murray encouraged LGBT advocates to focus their narrative on what positive contributions the community could make to the state, especially in the economy. His strategy helped generate business support, which paid off in 2006 when, following a 30-year battle, an LGBT rights bill passed the Senate by one vote from a Republican who represented the area home to Microsoft. That campaign pioneered the model that passed three subsequent domestic partnership laws, each one expanding upon the other, and the new marriage equality legislation. Four Republican senators voted for marriage equality after being lobbied by a business coalition that included Microsoft, Starbucks, Nike, and others.
"Once the civil rights bill passed, the timeline collapsed," says Murray. "Most of what we passed, 90% of issues related to gays and lesbians, have happened in the last six years." Other factors helped too. Murray credits changing public attitudes, a growing caucus of LGBT lawmakers that now totals six members, and the fact that lawmakers who voted for gay rights survived their reelection bids.
Some have criticized the incremental path, but Murray defends it as the best course for Washington, where voters can easily challenge unpopular laws. "We believed we had to slowly start changing people's minds. I think for West Coast states, where anything can be tossed on the ballot, I think we need a different approach."
This includes being prepared for a likely referendum on the new law. Murray, who plans to marry Michael Shiosaki, his partner of 21 years, predicts a "very ugly and very expensive fight," but he's confident. Washington voters were the first to affirm same-sex relationship recognition in 2009 by approving Referendum 71, which upheld the expanded domestic partnership law.
"I think it's going to be really tough, and I think the polls will probably bounce around, but I think we're going to win, because this is a moderate state," he says. "The rhetoric on the other side is just not what Washingtonians respond to."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: The Daily
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Latest Stories
How a lesbian's triumph on the Portland Timbers billboard broke barriers
April 24 2024 4:52 PM
‘Faces of Gun Violence’ exhibit unveiled at inaugural survivors’ summit
April 24 2024 4:46 PM
Trans woman Andrea Doria Dos Passos beaten to death in Miami Beach; arrest made
April 24 2024 4:36 PM
TikTok may be banned in the U.S. after Biden signs new law — Why?
April 24 2024 3:43 PM
Serial killer of gay men in New Orleans released after 46 years in prison
April 24 2024 2:16 PM
The 'largest bi+ event in the world' is happening this year. Here's when and where
April 24 2024 12:42 PM
What happens if Donald Trump is jailed for criminal contempt?
April 24 2024 12:22 PM
Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, and more urge NCAA to stand up for trans inclusion
April 24 2024 8:00 AM
Over 90% of trans youth live in states pushing anti-trans legislation: report
April 23 2024 10:08 PM