Republican state lawmaker Maureen Walsh of Walla Walla, Washington, is celebrating Friday’s Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage nationwide.
“I’m just really pleased and very happy that a lot of families now will feel very equal in this country and I think that’s really important,” she said.
That includes Walsh’s family. Her daughter will marry her same-sex partner in November.
Walsh made an impassioned speech in favor of same-sex marriage in 2012 that went viral.
She said she took some heat in her conservative legislative district for that.
“I had a little trouble sometimes with some of the folks and I’m sure I lost some voters as a result of that decision,” Walsh said. “It’s a very passionate issue. But on the other hand I think if I were to poll the voters in my district now, I think they would be supportive.”
Walsh added that she has “great respect” for the bible having been raised Catholic. But she said she also believes marriage is an inherent right.
