Gay Marriage Bill Passed in Washington

On Wednesday, Washington passed a bill to legalize gay marriage in Washington state. The Democratic governor Christine Gregoire is supposed to sign the bill early next week, but opponents of the bill plan to pursue its repeal in November through a “referendum for repeal or an initiative defining marriage as the exclusive domain of heterosexual couples.”

The state Senate passed the bill and then it was passed by the House by a 55-43 vote one week later. Democrats control both the House and the Senate, but they have a larger majority in the House. Two Republicans joined the 53 Democrats who voted for the bill. The law will not take effect until June 7.

Currently, six states and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage — New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa and New Hampshire.

See Nicole Neroulias, Washington Lawmakers Pass Gay Marriage Bill, Chicago Tribune, Feb. 9, 2012.