Washington State Poised to Pass Gay-Marriage Bill

Posted on Jan 23, 2012

Flickr / laverrue

She’s thought it over, and now Washington state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen has made up her mind in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, which should give the gay-marriage measure currently under consideration in the Evergreen State enough legislative oomph to push it over the line and become law. Stay tuned. —KA

AP via The Huffington Post:

In a written statement issued at the end of a Senate committee hearing on the bill, Haugen said she took her time making up her mind to “to reconcile my religious beliefs with my beliefs as an American, as a legislator, and as a wife and mother who cannot deny to others the joys and benefits I enjoy.”

“This is the right vote and it is the vote I will cast when this measure comes to the floor,” she said.

The state House is widely expected to have enough support to pass gay marriage, and Gov. Chris Gregoire publicly endorsed the proposal earlier this month. If a marriage bill is passed during this legislative session, gay and lesbian couples will be able to get married starting in June unless opponents file a referendum to challenge it. Opponents have already said they will.

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