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.
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.
