This is a safe political stand to take when you do not have to defend your stand in a campaign fight...

I don't think the political factor was as much of a struggle for her as the religious one.

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/01/04/governor-chris-gregoire-announces-in-powerful-speech-that-she-is-personally-introducing-a-marriage-equality-bill/


Governor Gregoire hasn’t always been a marriage equality proponent and spoke about the 7-year journey that brought her to where she is today.

"I have been on my own journey, I’ll admit that. It has been a battle for me with my religion, and I have always been uncomfortable with the [anti-equality] position I took publicly. And then I came to realize, the religions can decide what they want to do, but it’s not O.K. for the state to discriminate. So it’s time for us to respect religious freedom, but it’s time for us to stand up and understand [that] the state cannot be in the business of discrimination. So it was that, it was my children, it was the children of friends, it was friends, it was leaders that I finally said to myself, it’s time to do the right thing. And let me tell you, I feel so much better today than I have for the last 7 years."

from a few of your DU acquaintances as well.

Welcome aboard!

Given that she has had a massive battle on her hands to keep the Washington economy righted, she had lots on her plate. Gay rights is one of many issues that we must fight for as democrats. Some times gay rights may be the most important immediate issue, sometimes gay rights will get pre-empted by and issue that unless solved could destroy the whole of society.

Governor Gregoire's speech is amazing. I am very proud to be a resident of Washington State today.

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/01/04/governor-chris-gregoire-announces-in-powerful-speech-that-she-is-personally-introducing-a-marriage-equality-bill/