Washington Senate Passes Gay Marriage

It looks like Washington State will be the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage. The State Senate voted late Wednesday to approve a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry. The Senate was considered the primary hurdle for the bill, but it passed by a wider margin than expected—28 to 21, after less than 90 minutes of debate. The House is expected to vote—and approve—the bill next week, and Gov. Christine Gregoire has urged the bill's approval. If passed, gay and lesbian couples would be allowed to marry beginning this summer. Opponents of the bill, however, are threatening to challenge the measure with a referendum.