Same-sex marriage marchers greeted by Southwest Washington lawmakers

The group that marched recently from Vancouver to Olympia in support of same-sex marriage was greeted last week by the governor, as well as some Southwest Washington lawmakers.

Lawmakers came out to speak to the crowd of roughly 100 on the front steps of the capitol building in Olympia on Feb. 15. They were met by Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, and Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver.

I wrote a story about the group last week. They represent different communities of faith who support same-sex marriage.

The group says there is a misconception in mainstream media that all religious groups oppose same-sex marriage. Although many religious groups have shown up to Olympia to oppose same-sex marriage legislation, not all religious groups feel the same way.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law earlier this month a bill allowing same-sex couples in the state to marry. The law hasn’t yet gone into effect. Currently, six states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.

The group marching to Olympia was led by The Rev. Brooks Berndt of Vancouver’s First Congregational United Church of Christ. In the photo below sent by the group to The Columbian, he is in the front row on the left, wearing all black.

“I can’t live according to the golden rule if I live according to a double standard,” Berndt said from the capitol building steps last week. “I can’t live according to the golden rule if I can get married as a straight male, but the gay and lesbian members of my church cannot get married.”

Berdnt also wrote a blog during the group’s march to Olympia. You can read it on his church’s website.