On Tuesday, landmark progress was made for LGBT Americans as voters in Washington State, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota all took a stand in support of marriage equality. Several LGBT and allied organizations are working together to provide information, answer questions and help coordinate the very exciting steps that will take place in the days ahead as our community prepares for the first legal marriages of same-sex couples in Washington State.

Legal Voice has put together some of the most frequently asked questions and answers. The Questions and Answers: Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in Washington document can be found on their website.

If you would like to support LGBT-friendly businesses as you plan a wedding, seek legal or financial advice or are in the market for wedding gifts, be sure to consult GSBA’s online guide and directory.

Also, as you plan your wedding and buying gifts, we encourage you to support all the businesses that endorsed the campaign and you can also consult the HRC buyers’ guide to identify additional LGBT friendly businesses.

A number of community groups, including GSBA, will be working with our communities across the state to help couples who want to be part of the first day that marriage licenses will be issued on December 6, and after the mandatory 3-day waiting period, the first marriages on December 9.  King County has published information on obtaining marriage licenses.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication, leadership, and work of so many people throughout the state over many, many years. In the weeks ahead we will keep you updated, so please be sure to stay tuned.  It promises to be a fabulous December!

With Pride,

Louise Chernin
President & CEO

P.S. –THE WEDDING GENTLEMAN is the only Washington State officiant that has been a dues paying member of the GSBA for the past two years…please consider this when choosing your officiant!