ACLU sues (Washington) state over gay marriage ban | Seattle P-I

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ACLU sues state over gay marriage ban

By JOHN K. WILEY
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

SPOKANE -- On behalf of 11 same-sex couples, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the state of Washington on Thursday to challenge laws that deny marriage rights to gays.

In simultaneous news conferences here and in Seattle, the advocacy group said Washington state's constitution does not allow discrimination based on gender.

The couples either want to marry, or want to have their marriages elsewhere recognized by the state, ACLU field director Genevieve Aguilar said.

"We really hope this lawsuit will help allow families to gain full rights and to be able to give individuals the same kind of privileges that many straight couples already have," Aguilar said.

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