Gay Marriage Bill Passes in House Despite Local Lawmakers' Opposition

Local and regional media was abuzz Wednesday after news came that the Democratic-controlled state House voted to approve Senate Bill 6239, more commonly known as the state's same-sex marriage bill.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign it into law next week.

According to The Tacoma News Tribune, the bill passed 55 to 43 with two Republicans voting 'yes' and three Democrats, including Rep. Christopher Hurst of Enumclaw, voting 'no.' Hurst's fellow Republican representative, Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, voted the same.

The state Senate approved the bill last Wednesday 28 to 21, according to the Seattle PI, and Sen. Pam Roach was also among the 'no' votes.

The Seattle Times reported Wednesday that groups opposed to the same-sex marriage bill are already organizing and rallying behind an effort to reaffirm the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

There could potentially be not one but two measures in November both pertaining to same-sex marriage: "one seeking an up-or-down vote of the people on new legislation legalizing gay marriages and another to reaffirm current state law rejecting such marriages," said the Seattle Times.

If both wind up on the ballot, it could happen that voters OK same-sex marriage while upholding the current state law that makes such marriages illegal, the story continued.