Seattle Times endorses approval of gay-marriage referendum

By Evan Smith

Our news partner, The Seattle Times, has endorsed approval of the same-sex marriage referendum on the Nov. 6 general-election ballot.

In a Sunday editorial, the Times said this:

“It's time for Washington voters to approve same-sex marriage

“Approve Referendum 74 to legalize same-sex marriage. The state Legislature passed it. Gov. Gregoire signed it. Voters should approve it.

“Washington voters have been asked to approve a law that celebrates the family values that empower the state and respects religious freedom. They should vigorously approve Referendum 74 and legalize same-sex marriage."

Earlier this year, the Legislature passed and Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law a bill that allows same-sex couples to marry. A petition campaign put the measure on the November ballot.

Read the full editorial

Times Editorial page editor explains changes that led to endorsement of gay-marriage referendum

In a companion column to the editorial endorsing Referendum 74, Seattle Times Editorial-page editor Kate Riley explained how changes at the Times had led to the endorsement of the same-sex marriage referendum.

Riley said Sunday that the change began 12 years ago, when the youngest generation of the controlling Blethen family began debating domestic partnerships and changed publisher Frank Blethen’s mind.

In a column headed “Same-sex marriage: Getting to 'I do' took patience and a boost from a new generation.“ Riley also gave credit to State Sen. Ed Murray’s strategy of “incremental change from gay civil rights to domestic partnerships to enhanced domestic partnerships to gay marriage."

See Riley’s full column