As Washington State became the seventh state to legally recognize (and protect) same-sex marriage this afternoon, Gov. Christine Gregoire addressed a celebratory crowd at the state Capitol in Olympia. "We did what was just. We did what was fair," she said. "We stood for equality, and we did it together, Republicans and Democrats, gay and straight, young and old, and a number of our faith organizations. I'm proud of who and what we are as a state."
Two weeks ago, the state Senate passed a bill approving the measure, which quickly moved through the House last week before ending its journey into law on Gregoire's desk for her signature—although it won't take effect until June 7. If opponents of same-sex marriage are successful in filing a challenge to postpone the law before then, the issue will go up for state-wide vote on the November ballot.
At least for today, however, opposition is the last thing on openly gay Sen. Ed Murray's mind. "My friends, welcome to the other side of the rainbow!" he said at the bill signing. "No matter what the future holds, nothing will take this moment away from us."
—Phillip B. Crook