The Seattle Times political team explores national, state and local politics.
July 11, 2012 at 2:56 PM
Seattle Chamber endorses campaign favoring same-sex marriage
The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, which represents 2,200 companies in the Puget Sound region, has endorsed the campaign to approve same-sex marriage in Washington state.
The board voted to adopt a resolution supporting Referendum 74, joining a growing list of businesses as well as faith, labor and non-profit organizations across the state that are backing the campaign favoring same-sex marriage.
Legislation signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire in February to legalize same-sex marriage is on hold until voters decide the fate of the measure in November. A vote in favor of Referendum 74 will allow the same-sex marriage law to take effect. A vote against the measure will block the law.
The chamber cited key benefits to favoring gay marriage, including recruiting workers and competing against other states where same-sex marriage is already legal, simplifying employment benefits for all couples, gay and straight, and the potential financial benefit to the state’s economy.
“There is a clear business case for supporting equal access to civil marriage rights,” George Allen, senior vice president of government relations, said in a statement.
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Comments | More in Gay marriage, homepage, Politics Northwest, Seattle City Council | Topics: Same-sex marriage; Chamber;
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