Equality in Washington

The Washington state Senate has voted to recognize all legal partnerships, including civil unions and marriages, from other jurisdictions.  The bill now goes to Gov. Gregoire, who has promised to sign it.  Washington joins Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland in passing similar laws.  Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.  Hawaii, Illinois, and New Jersey have civil unions while California, Oregon, Washington, Maine, Nevada, and Wisconsin have domestic partnerships.  That's seventeen states plus DC that provide legal recognition of our relationships.