Washington State set to become #7 for gay marriage
Wed. February 8, 2012 7:17 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Olympia, WA -
Washington State is well on the way to legalizing gay marriage, after the House passed a same-sex bill and Gov. Christine Gregoire said she'd sign it.
With two Republicans voting "yes" and three Democrats voting "no", the measure passed on a 55-43 vote on Wednesday, Last week's Senate approval also had a split vote of 28-21. Signing of the bill by the Governor is planned for next week.
"This is truly a historic day," Gregoire said after the House voted. "I couldn't be more proud."
The battle is not over yet. Opponents are trying to gather 120,000 signatures needed to get an anti-gay marriage referendum on November's ballot.
"This country was not founded on sexual liberty, Mr. Speaker, but on religious liberty," Rep. Matt Shea said during the debate. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that Shea says his family's floral business will never work on a gay wedding.
When Gregoire signs the bill, Washington will join six other states and the District of Columbia that allow same-sex marriage.
With two Republicans voting "yes" and three Democrats voting "no", the measure passed on a 55-43 vote on Wednesday, Last week's Senate approval also had a split vote of 28-21. Signing of the bill by the Governor is planned for next week.
"This is truly a historic day," Gregoire said after the House voted. "I couldn't be more proud."
The battle is not over yet. Opponents are trying to gather 120,000 signatures needed to get an anti-gay marriage referendum on November's ballot.
"This country was not founded on sexual liberty, Mr. Speaker, but on religious liberty," Rep. Matt Shea said during the debate. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported that Shea says his family's floral business will never work on a gay wedding.
When Gregoire signs the bill, Washington will join six other states and the District of Columbia that allow same-sex marriage.