Washington State Senate Approves Gay Marriage Bill
 

State Senate approves gay marriage bill

The state Senate passed legislation Wednesday night that legalizes gay marriage. The bill now goes to the House, where it's expected to pass easily.

OLYMPIA — A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington cleared its biggest legislative hurdle Wednesday night in a historic vote by the state Senate.

Lawmakers approved the bill 28 to 21. The measure now heads for the House where it's expected to easily pass as early as next week. The governor supports the bill as well.

Washington would become the seventh state to legalize gay marriage.

The outcome, while expected, culminates more than decade of work by Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, the prime sponsor of the bill, and the gay and lesbian community.

"A lot of people are just stunned, particularly people my age and older, to think this day would actually come in our lifetime," Murray told reporters before the vote.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...rriage02m.html

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...6239&year=2011

YAY! I hope it passes

For those already in domestic partnerships who convert to a marriage (my understanding is those couples can apply for a marriage license and convert, but all domestic partnership couples would be converted to marriages by June of 2014) I'm thinking many will have a party to celebrate their marriage, and I am really looking forward to invitations to...

Weddin' 2: Equality Boogaloo

Yeah, proud of our legislature! And dreading the hate speech we're going to hear more and more of once the Governor signs the bill into law. I just hope enough pro-equality voters come to the polls (ahem, post offices) to vote in the presidential election to offset the large numbers of people with superiority complexes on the eastern side of the mountains who will come out in force because of the Ref.

At least you aren't living adjacent to the areas represented by the majority of the Nay votes. Pullman might be purple or even blue, Spokane is somewhat the same way, but it is red, red, red, until one crosses the Cascades.

Tell me about it. My Senator voted no. I am not happy, but also not surprised. He will still be getting a strongly worded letter.

But overall, I am very happy! On to the House!!!

As did pretty much every senator east of the Cascades. I am very pleased that the debate was civil, and that even those who voted against it did so after a lot of thought. Also happy that many of them have made remarks that although they may be personally against it, their feelings aren't necessarily "right" under the law for the entirety of the state.

A lot of people opposes gay marriage because of some religious beliefs. I think, people have the right to express what they feel and be liberal. It's alright for the gay marriage as long as no other people are affected or hurt.