A win for gay rights--Rep. Moeller: 'I could just kiss the Senate!'
Jan 28, 2006
By KATHIE DURBIN , Columbian staff writer
 

OLYMPIA -- Rep. Jim Moeller, one of four openly gay members of the state House, tried to express his feelings after the gay rights bill passed the Senate 25-23 Friday and was reaffirmed by the House.

"Last spring I said there would be another spring and another vote," the Vancouver Democrat said. "It's not even spring yet. I could just kiss the Senate!"

Moeller said he appreciated the respectful tone of this year's debate in both chambers. It hasn't always been that way, he said. "I think the reason it is respectful now is because there are gay and lesbian people in this Legislature. It's hard to speak disrespectfully to someone you just broke bread with."

His voice cracking with emotion, Moeller said, "It's not every day in political life when you have an opportunity to vote on the things that make America great, such as the idea that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment under the law."

Asked how passage of the legislation will affect gays in their everyday lives, Moeller said those changes might be very small. "But I hope for me and for other gays and lesbians, we'll walk a little taller, hold our heads up a little higher, because this body, this state, has said that we are equal members of society."