National Organization for Women Denounces State High Court Decision Upholding Gay Marriage Ban

July 26, 2006

In a 5-4 decision today, the state Supreme Court in Washington upheld the state's ban on gay marriage. The court sided with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was passed by the Washington Legislature in 1998. The law restricts marriage to one man and one woman, and the court held that the state's legislature has the right to define "marriage."

The National Organization for Women is disappointed at the Washington Supreme Court's failure to understand that by upholding DOMA they allowed discrimination to continue in the state. The ruling embraces prejudice and perpetuates the suffering of lesbian and gay couples through the denial of basic civil rights. This is a sad day for everyone who believes in fairness and in the protection of individual rights.

We salute the 19 gay and lesbian couples from Washington who courageously challenged the constitutionality of the state's Defense of Marriage Act of 1998. What they wanted was simple: to have the same benefits as opposite-sex married couples.

The Washington Supreme Court is leaving it up to the State Legislature to decide whether to continue to restrict marriage to unions between a man and a woman or end the discriminatory practices. Already, DOMA supporters have introduced two resolutions in the state senate. We are asking activists and supporters of civil rights in Washington state to pressure their elected officials to reverse this decision. In addition, because these judges are elected, we expect the voters of Washington will let them know at election time that this decision does not reflect the voters' understanding of their own state constitution.

It is unfathomable that in today's society same-sex couples are treated like second-class citizens. This is an important time in civil rights as right-wing extremists led by the Bush administration are chipping away at our rights. This is only a temporary setback, and a reminder that we have more work to do.

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906

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