A
bipartisan vote in the Washington State House this week sent a marriage
equality bill to the desk of Gov. Christine Gregoire, who is expected
to sign it into law Monday. The law could become effective in June
unless opponents can gather the signatures necessary to force the issue
onto a statewide ballot.
The final House debate featured testimony from
openly gay lawmakers including Rep. Jamie Pedersen (pictured), who told his
colleagues "I would like our four children to understand...that their
daddy and their papa have made that lifelong commitment to each other."