Equality Getting Closer in WA, MD, Maybe Even NJ

The marriage equality movement has caught fire very recently with progress imminent in several places across the country.  In Washington state, it looks like the legislature has enough votes to pass the marriage equality bill that Gov. Christine Gregoire has championed.  Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen is the lastest to change her position and said that it took her a while "to reconcile my religious beliefs with my beliefs as an American, as a legislator, and as a wife and mother who cannot deny to others the joys and benefits I enjoy."  Thank you, Sen. Haugen.

In Maryland, Gov. Martin O'Malley has introduced a marriage equality bill.  The bill includes religious exemptions that are clearer than the bill introduced last year, which failed.  He has scheduled a breakfast tomorrow with Maryland gay rights leaders.   

In New Jersey, a marriage equality bill is being fast tracked as polls show support from a strong majority of voters.  Gov. Chris Christie has stated that he opposes equality, but he also has not stated plainly that he would veto this particular bill.  It's also significant that, just today, Christie appointed the first openly gay African American to the New Jersey Supreme Court, Bruce Harris, currently the mayor of Chatham Borough.  Christie called Garden State Equality chair Steven Goldstein personally on his cell phone to tell him the news.  Goldstein said "you could have picked me up off the floor."