Wed. January 4, 2012
Olympia, WA -
Washington governor Chris Gregoire made history Wednesday by publicly backing efforts to make Washington the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Gregoire said she'll introduce legislation that, if passed, would allow same-sex marriage in Washington. She previously indicated support, but never publicly endorsed same-sex marriage.
"It's time, it's the right thing to do, and I will introduce a bill to do it," Gregoire said during a news conference Wednesday.
According to kirotv.com, Gregoire referenced a report indicating Massachusetts' economy had benefited from allowing same-sex marriage.
In 2009 the Washington Legislature passed a bill that greatly expanded the rights of same-sex domestic partners. Voters upheld the measure which became known as the "everything but marriage" bill.
Nearly 19,000 people in Washington state are registered as domestic partners.
Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia.
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