Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into legislation Monday a Washington law that would allow same-sex couples to legally marry in the state.
“I’m proud that our same-sex couples will no longer be treated as separate but equal,” Gregoire said in wake of its passage. “They will be equal in the great state of Washington.”
The legislation comes as a victory for LGBT activists and allies although opponents of the measure have promised to defeat the law by including a ballot measure to overturn it. If opponents are unable to produce enough signatures for the ballot measure, the law would go into effect on June 7.
Gov. Gregoire attributed the passage of the bill in part to hundreds of letters written in support of same-sex marriage, including one letter from a 16-year-old girl according to reports at Washington Blade.
“She had considered suicide,” Gregoire said, “but now with the conversation in the state with this marriage equality, it would make her stronger, it would allow her … to dream of the day that she would not have to get on bended knee and say, ‘Will you civil union me?’ but she will get on her knee and she will say, ‘Will you marry me?’”
Washington’s State House approved the legislation last week with a 55-43 vote. Earlier, the State Senate approved the bill for passage on Feb. 1 with a 28-21 vote.
“While those opposed to marriage for gay and lesbian couples will no doubt try to undo this progress, I am confident that equality will prevail in Washington,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. He added the law “puts Washington on the road to fairness for all families.”
