Newt Gingrich on Friday suggested he
would accept recently approved gay marriage laws in Maryland and
Washington if approved by voters, The
Seattle Times reported.
The former House speaker made his
comments during a press conference after meeting privately with
Republican lawmakers in Olympia.
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire last
week signed
a gay marriage bill into law, while Maryland Governor Martin
O'Malley has championed a similar measure approved
by lawmakers on Thursday. O'Malley is expected to sign the bill
into law next week.
Opponents in both states have vowed to
put the laws up for popular votes.
When asked about the laws, Gingrich
responded by saying that while he is personally opposed to marriage
equality, enactment via referendum is “the right way.”
“I think at least they're doing it
the right way, which is going through voters, giving them a chance to
vote and not having a handful of judges arbitrarily impose their
will,” Gingrich said. “I don't agree with it. I would vote no
if it were on a referendum where I was. But at least they're doing
it the right way.”