Schram: Don't derail such a momentous milestone

From KOMO News

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- It's been a long time coming.

Washington is now the 7th state in the nation where same sex marriage is legal.

With a broad stroke of her pen, Gov. Chris Gregoire put her signature to the state legislature's effort of marriage equality.

It becomes law on June 7.

Actually, that's when it should take effect. If opponents have their way, marriage equality will at best be delayed and at worst denied.

120,057 valid voter signatures will create a referendum to challenge the new law. 241,153 valid voter signatures will create an initiative defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Both measures would then be on the ballot in November, giving the majority control over minority rights.

It's a disaster in the making.

Voters could keep marriage equality by defeating the referendum, and at the same time uphold state statutes that prohibit marriage equality by passing the initiative.

State lawmakers did something momentous.

The governor signed it into law.

In the months ahead we will have to be very careful to keep those who are narrow-minded, spiteful and oh-so-damn crafty, from preventing marriage equality from becoming the reality same sex couples deserve.

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