News Release
For Immediate Release
January 27, 2006
Contact: Dave Kaplan
Log Cabin Republicans of Washington
(206) 419-8677 (cell)
Contact: James Dozier
Log Cabin Republicans-Washington, DC Office
(202) 347-5306
or (202) 297-5026
Log Cabin Applauds Passage of Civil Rights Bill in Washington State
Vote from GOP State Lawmaker Allows Measure to Pass
(Olympia, WA) – Log Cabin Republicans applaud senators in Washington State for passing a non-discrimination bill to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. “Washington State lawmakers have sent an important message with this vote: discrimination for any reason will not be tolerated in the Evergreen State,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Guerriero.
State law now bans discrimination based on race, sex, religion, marital status, and other categories. The civil rights bill passed by the senate on Friday adds sexual orientation to that list. “A lot of people have been working a very long time to make this day possible,” said Log Cabin Republicans - Washington President Ken Nielsen. “We thank everyone who worked to achieve this important goal. It’s a great day for the people of Washington. “
The law would not have passed the state senate without support from GOP Senator Bill Finkbeiner who decided to support the bill after studying the issue and hearing stories from his gay and lesbian constituents. “We’re proud Senator Finkbeiner had the courage to do what’s right,” said Nielsen. “History will remember his courageous stand for basic fairness.”
The non-discrimination proposal passed the Washington State House last year with strong bi-partisan support, but failed in the senate by one vote. This session, Senator Finkbeiner said, “I've had a number of conversations over the past year that have led me to more fully understand the level of discrimination against gays and lesbians, and I now find it is both appropriate and necessary for the state to make it clear that this is not acceptable."
“We thank Senator Finkbeiner and his colleagues in the senate for courageously standing up in favor of basic fairness and common decency,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Guerriero.
Log Cabin Republicans - Washington lobbied state lawmakers about this issue. That effort included distributing the Liberty Education Forum’s white paper, “The Only Question That Matters: Do People Choose Their Sexual Orientation?” Log Cabin also worked with Equality Washington to secure passage of this important legislation.
Washington will become the 17th state to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and the 7th state based on gender identity. The amended bill went back to the House for concurrence and passed on a 61-37 vote. The governor indicated that she will sign the bill next Tuesday, January 31.
