Washington

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Washington state voted in favor of a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. Two Republicans voted in support of the bill. "With today's vote, we tell the nation that Washington state will no longer deny our citizens the opportunity to marry the person they love," said Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Demorcrat who has vowed to sign it. "We tell every child of same-sex couples that their family is every bit as equal and important as all other families in our state.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has publicly announced her support for marriage equality, setting the state on course to become the seventh to legalize same-sex marriage. “It is time in Washington state for marriage equality,” Gregoire said at a news conference Wednesday, according to Reuters. “It is time, it’s the right thing to do. For all couples, a state marriage license is very important.

The state of Washington's Legislature has OK'd out-of-state same-sex unions. The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire (pic) for approval. Under the measure, marriages performed elsewhere would be recognized as domestic partnerships in WA. Currently, five states, the District of Columbia and Canada allow same-sex marriages. Washington becomes the fourth state to approve a similar bill, following Rhode Island, New York and Maryland.

A measure expanding benefits for same-sex couples - known as the “everything but marriage” law - has passed in Washington state, the first time such an equality measure has been approved at the state level by voters. Referendum 71 currently has about 52% of the votes, and a margin of 60,000, with 72% of ballots counted.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations estimate that the number of children nationwide living with at least one gay parent ranges from 6 million to 14 million.

The Spokesman-Review profiles one lesbian couple - moms Kyla Bates [right] and Lori Rodriguez [left] and their 7-year-old daughter, Myah - to help educate the public about the struggles and frustration our families often face.

According to The Seattle Times, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 19 percent of male couples in Washington are raising children younger than 18. That's about 1,423 families with gay dads.

Feather Boa Fathers is a support group made of gay dads or men who are thinking about it.

In the true spirit of "it takes a village", it's a way, dads say, for their children to get to know others growing up in families like their own. They meet regularly and have experience with adoption, foster care and surrogacy.

Washington's newly passed Domestic Partnership law went into effect July 23, 2007, and couples lined up by the dozens to register their relationships.

The registry offers some legal standing for same-sex and straight couples.