Everett displaying Love, Equally exhibit

The “Love, Equally: The Journey to Marriage Equality” exhibit is currently on display at the Everett Municipal Building and will remain open until September. This exhibition, created by Legacy Washington, showcases the history and stories of LGBTQ advocates in the state. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a. m. to 5 p.

m. , it includes oral histories and photographs highlighting the journey toward marriage equality. Mayor Cassie Franklin praised the exhibit as a tribute to resilience and love, emphasizing the importance of living openly and without fear. In 2006, Washington's law did not protect against job discrimination for LGBTQ individuals, and same-sex marriage was prohibited. The tide began to shift in 2012 when voters approved marriage equality in a significant ballot initiative.

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs noted the swift transformation in public perception, calling it one of the fastest advancements in U. S. civil rights history. This initiative set a precedent for future legal recognition of same-sex marriage across the country.