FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 13, 2012

MEDIA CONTACTS
Rob McNair-Huff, Community Relations, robert.mcnair-huff@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5054
Karrie Spitzer, Community Relations, karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5790

Mayor and Council Member express support for Marriage Equality bill
Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Council Member Ryan Mello expressed their support for the Marriage Equality bill signed by Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire today.

“People from all walks of life, including gay and lesbian couples, share the same values of love, commitment and family – and a majority of Washingtonians support equal protection of the law for all of our families,” said Mayor Strickland. “I am thrilled Washington State will no longer deny our citizens the opportunity to marry the person they love.”

“This tells every child of same-sex couples that their family is every bit as equal and important as all other families in our state,” said Council Member Mello. “And we take a major step toward completing a long and important journey to end discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

At the request of Council Member Mello, the City Council added marriage equality to the City’s State legislative agenda, which was passed by the Council in January.
If no referendum is filed, same-sex couples could be civilly married in Washington beginning June 7, 2012.

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