Gov. Chris Gregoire is the 3rd Catholic Governor in a Row to Champion Marriage Equality

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http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/01/06/gov-chris-gregoire-is-the-3rd-catholic-governor-in-a-row-to-champion-marriage-equality/

In announcing her strong support for marriage equality, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) joins not only a majority of Washington voters but a supermajority of American Catholics who support civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Roman Catholics make up about 16% of the population in Washington state, many of whom live in the Puget Sound region which heavily supports LGBT equality and sends pro-equality legislators (and governors!) to Olympia.

From Catholics for Equality:



Catholics Applaud Gov. Gregoire’s Strong Stand for Marriage Equality
Group Calls the Catholic Governor’s Position Consistent with Catholic Social Justice Teaching and in Agreement of the overwhelming majority of American Catholics

WASHINGTON – Catholics for Equality, a national organization of Catholics who put their faith into ethical and effective political action on behalf of the LGBT community and their families, joined the overwhelming majority of Catholics across the country in applauding fellow Catholic, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire (D-WA) for her announcement this week that she will push for marriage equality this year in her state.

In a press conference Wednesday, Governor Gregoire joined fellow Catholic Governors Andrew Cuomo of New York and Martin O’Malley of Maryland in leading efforts in their state to allow committed and loving same-gender couples to apply for legal marriage certification and recognition from their state.

“Governor Gregoire’s support for marriage equality represents not only the will of the majority of Washingtonians, but the will of the majority of Catholics throughout the state and the country,” said Catholics for Equality Executive Director Phil Attey. “Governor Gregoire follows not only the recent examples of Catholic leaders like Governors Cuomo and O’Malley, but the legacy of President John F. Kennedy in reaffirming that American Catholics can be trusted in our political system to be faithful Catholics, while being champions of the Constitution and legal equality for all citizens.”