Same-Sex Marriage Votes Coming Together

With Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire’s recent backing, it looks as if Washington might soon take the important step of legalizing same-sex marriage. As the Associated Press reports:

As lawmakers held their first public hearing on legalizing same-sex marriage, a previously undecided Democratic senator on Monday announced her support for the measure, all but ensuring that Washington will become the seventh state to allow gay and lesbian couples to get married.

The announcement by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, that she would cast the 25th and deciding vote in favor of the issue came as hundreds of people filled the Capitol [in Olympia] to advocate for and against gay marriage. ...

The state House is widely expected to have enough support to pass gay marriage, and Gov. Chris Gregoire publicly endorsed the proposal earlier this month. If a marriage bill is passed during this legislative session, gay and lesbian couples will be able to get married starting in June unless opponents file a referendum to challenge it. Opponents have already said they will.

The Political Carnival notes that “Gay marriage foes [attending the hearing] wore buttons that said ‘Marriage. One Man. One Woman.’” The blog goes on to quip: “The buttons should have added, ‘… at a time.’ See: Gingrich, Newton Leroy.”

READ MORE: “Historic Senate Vote Clears Way for Gay Marriage in State,” by Andrew Garber (The Seattle Times).