It is signed! Washington seventh U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage

It's official!

Washington state has become the seventh American state to legalize same-sex marriage. Governor Christine Gregoire was reported to have signed the bill Monday (February 13), which was approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

British Columbia's Pacific Northwest neighbour joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont (plus the District of Columbia).

The law will take effect on June 7.

However, opponents of gay marriage plan to file a referendum challenge, which could potentially put the law on hold until the outcome of a November vote if they are able to collect enough signatures.

Republican presidential candidate and same-sex-marriage opponent Rick Santorum is currently visiting Olympia, Washington to speak with conservative voters and to meet with Republican lawmakers. (There's no word yet on whether he'll meet up with Georgia Straight sex columnist Dan Savage, who gave Santorum's name added depth and deliciousness.)

Gregoire's signature takes place a week after a U.S. federal appeals court declared California's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

Washington's same-sex marriage bill was supported by over one hundred businesses, including Starbucks, Google, Nike, Microsoft, and more.

The following video features coverage of Gregoire announcing at a January 4 news conference that she would sign the bill. In her speech, she describes her own personal struggle with the issue, as it conflicted with her own religious beliefs. She admits she was always uncomfortable with the position she took publicly. However, she came to the realization that while religion freedom can be respected, the State cannot be involved in discrimination.

You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at twitter.com/cinecraig. You can also follow the Straight's LGBT coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/StraightLGBT.