Senate passes gay rights bill
One-vote margin sends measure to state House
By CHRIS McGANN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
OLYMPIA -- The Senate today voted 25-23 to approve a gay rights bill and ended the debate over legislation that emerged in Washington the same year singer Anita Bryant began her "Save Our Children" crusade against such protections.
The bill would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, lending and employment.
Twenty four of 26 Democrats were joined by one Republican and approved the bill with a one-vote majority.
Seriously, you won't often see me say this about a Republican, but let's hear it for Bill Finkbeiner:
Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, reversed his previous position to turn the tide this year.
"This has been a terribly difficult issue for me," said Finkbeiner as he explained his change of heart.
"What we are really talking about here is...whether or not it's OK to be gay or homosexual in this state. On whether or not it's appropriate to be discriminating against or to discriminate against someone because of that."
He said being gay or lesbian isn't a choice.
"People don't choose this. We don't choose who we love, the heart chooses who we love," Finkbeiner said.
"I don't believe that it is right ... to say that it's acceptable to discriminate against people because of that , because of who their heart chooses to love. I can not stand with that argument."
As opposed to:
Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester said..."The passage of this legislation puts us on a slippery slope towards gay marriage..."
Keitha: DAMN STRAIGHT!
Colley: You should pardon the expression.
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