Tacoma City Council joins fight for marriage equality | Community Spirit

The Tacoma City Council says it will make marriage equality a priority during this season's legislative session.

The council voted Tuesday evening to add support for Gov. Chris Gregoire's push for marriage equality to its legislative agenda, made each year to direct the city in its relationship with the Washington State Legislature.

Councilman Ryan Mello proposed the marriage equality amendment, not long after being sworn in for another council term by his own partner.

"If not now, when," Mello asked. "Discrimination is never right.

Several citizens also spoke in support of the amendment, one man saying he came before the council not expecting to speak but "with a heart full of passion."

"I'm just very honored to live in a city that is so progressive and forward-thinking," said Tacoma resident Justin Leighton during public comment on the amendment.

The amendment itself states that the council will consider marriage equality as the next step in ending discrimination based on sexual orientation.

"The city supports legislation which will provide marriage equality in Washington," states the council's amendment. "The voters of Tacoma have repeatedly made clear their support for ending discrimination based on sexual orientationtation. The state has made significant progress on this issue and providing full marriage equality is the next important step."

Tacoma is the first city in Washington to announce its support for Gregoire's marriage equality legislation. The King County Council added support for the legislation to its own legislative agenda earlier this week.

Mayor Marilyn Strickland said this won't be the last time this community has the discussion of marriage equality, but that she is proud and happy to support the amendment.

Mello tipped off his Facebook friends about plans to propose the amendment earlier Tuesday.

"At tonight's Tacoma City Council meeting I will be introducing an amendment to our State legislative agenda to indicate Tacoma's full support for marriage equality in Washington in this short session. Come out and support our local priorities and support for this important legislative session. 5pm tonight," he wrote.