At the elections last month, Washington state where we live made history
as one of three U.S. states where same-sex couples were by popular
vote, granted the right to get married. The law that legalized same-sex
marriage took effect by midnight today, and from the news, gay and
lesbian couples eager to exchange vows have been lining up the marriage
licensing offices since yesterday.
It was back in May this year that President Obama in an interview made comments
supporting same-sex marriage. Some were outraged and others happy. I am
all for equal rights for everyone though I admit that on the gay
marriage issue, my thoughts are still evolving.
I may not equate same-sex marriage rights to black
civil rights but I cannot diminish its importance in today's society and
to the gay people who want to get married. And if like in our state it
passed by a public referendum, then I am all for it. One of the couples
had their story in CNN and I found it quite touching.
Shortly after the clock struck midnight, two Seattle women
legitimized their 35-year love affair early Thursday by becoming the
first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in King County,
Washington.
The two women met on a blind date in 1977, when homosexuality was highly
taboo and gay people socialized privately in homes, never in public.
Now Pete-e Petersen is 85 and Jane Abbott Lighty is 77, and they have
lived to see the world transformed.
In the twilight of their lives, they thought they would die without
being legally married, though they had a church wedding in 2005. But
Washington voters approved Referendum 74, legalizing same-sex marriage,
last month, allowing the first licenses to be issued on Thursday.
"Oh, my goodness!" Lighty said. "We've been together 35 years and seen
all kinds of change. It's been a long journey," Petersen said. "We're so
excited to know we'll get a license and then get married on Sunday."
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