Washington state legislature votes to approve marriage equality

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. And we take a major step toward completing a long and important journey to end discrimination based on sexual orientation.” The law will go into effect in June, when the legislative session ends, unless opponent. Thalia Zepatos, director of public engagement for Freedom to Marry said, “I think this demonstrates the growing support nationally amongst Republicans, Democrats and Independents who see that allowing committed and loving, same-sex couples to get married does not take anything away from the marriages of their friends, neighbors and family members.”

[via CNN.com]

WATCH GOP State Representative Maureen Walsh get emotional about the issue of marriage equality: