WA Gov Lauds Vote for Marriage Equality

“Washington has made history and I couldn’t be prouder. Voters stood up for what is right and what is just and said that all Washington families are equal under the law. I am proud that our LGBT families will no longer be treated as separate but equal, they will be equal. “This is a day that historians will look back on as a turning point for equality. It is a day I will look back on as Washington state leading the nation. And it is a day that I will carry with me forever.”
Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire, statement on the passage of the state's Referendum 74, legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington, November 8, 2012.

Viking's Kicker Kluwe Lauds Voters

Gay Marriage Legalized! What an Amazing Day To Be an American

"I would like to thank every single person that helped defeat the same-sex marriage ban in Minnesota, as well as every person who contributed to passing marriage-equality legislation in Maryland and Maine and (likely) Washington. Together, we made a statement that America is tired of division. America is tired of discrimination, of exclusion, and of unthinking oppression - the belief that people have to live their lives according to someone else's views rather than their own free will. Together, we made sure that the world our children will grow up in is one step closer to tolerance, love, and equality; a world where our children can make their own choices instead of being shackled to dusty hate from the past. Together, we showed this nation that a polity functions best when it includes all of its citizens, when it celebrates their differences as part of one glorious whole, when it synthesizes a wide assortment of cultures and beliefs under the guiding principles of freedom and happiness for everyone. Together, we can approach the work still at hand. We can face the continuous fight for equality that every society must wage each generation. We may not know the specifics until they’re upon us, but the underlying foundation is always the same - living your own life vs. someone else making your choices for you. Together, we can promote free will over oppression. We can treat others the way we want to be treated, with dignity and respect. We can work together to find common ground, despite our differences, and build a stable, nurturing society. There is work yet to be done, but we passed an important milestone today. Ten, 15, 20 years from now, when our children ask us, "What did you do when it came time to fight for someone else?," we can tell them about Minnesota and Maryland and Maine, states where people finally said: Enough. Enough with the hate. Enough with the bigotry. Enough with the discrimination. We are all Americans, and we are all in this together. Without each other, we have nothing."  Minnesota Vikings' Chris Kluwe, posted November 7, 2012, in Slate.

MD Gov Lauds Vote for Marriage Equality

“Over these past few weeks, Marylanders joined together to affirm that for a free and diverse people of many faiths - a people committed to religious freedom - the way forward is always found through greater respect for the equal rights and human dignity of all. A lot of people worked very hard to make this day possible, including the Human Rights Campaign, the NAACP, SEIU, clergy and community leaders. To Maryland’s children - please know that you and your families matter to the people of our State. Whether your parents happen to be gay or straight, Democratic, Republican or Independent, your families are equal before the eyes of the law. We have tremendous challenges as a nation, and it is my sincere hope that we can come together to meet those challenges with greater respect for the dignity of every individual. We are One Maryland, and all of us, at the end of the day, want the same thing for our children: to live in a loving, stable, committed home protected equally under the law. As we have done so often in our State’s history, Marylanders chose to come together to affirm this profound truth that has served as both the cornerstone - and the beacon of hope - of our nation. By this vote, the people of our State affirmed that we are One Maryland and that we’re all in this together.”
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, commenting on state vote in favor of Civil Marriage Protection Act, legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland, November 6, 2012.