The House Judiciary committee approved the bill by a vote of 7-5 vote.

The measure now goes to the full House for a vote as early as Wednesday, where its passage is expected. The state Senate passed its version of the bill by a vote of 28-21 in a late evening session last Wednesday.

Once the state House has approved the legislation, Gov. Chris Gregoire would have five business days to sign it into law, which she has indicated she will do.

Gay and lesbian couples would then be able to wed beginning in June, unless opponents follow through on their threat to seek a ballot referendum.

A referendum cannot be filed until after the bill is passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gregoire -- opponents would need 120,577 signatures by June 6.

Washington has had a domestic partnership law since 2007 and an “everything but marriage” expansion of the domestic partnership law since 2009.

Rafael Morelos

Rafael’s mother, Malinda Morelos, said said she did not know that her son was bullied until students at another vigil earlier in the week told her.

“Almost all the kids here told me he was being bullied,” Morelos told the Wenatchee World.

Morelos said she had known for several years that her son was gay, but that he kept his feelings to himself -- she said she she had no idea what he was going through.

“He told me he got shoved and punched in the face in PE in the locker room at Cashmere,” said Lexii Mullin of Wenatchee, a friend of Rafael Morelos.

“He was tired of people saying that his little brothers would follow in his footsteps and be gay too,” said Maranda Blankenship of Wenatchee.

Classmates "would bully him and cuss him out, and just hated on him all the time,” another friend, Jessica Fisk, told KCPQ-TV. “They would follow him and try to beat him up and try to hurt him.”

Rob Cline, principal at Cashmere Middle School, said that there was no ongoing investigation into Rafael being bullied at the school, but acknowledged that Rafael has reported an incident earlier in the year and that "we investigated and took appropriate action.”

In a statement issued Friday, the Cashmere School District said they were deeply saddened by the loss and their thoughts and prayers were with Morelos’ family.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and determined that it was a suicide and there was no foul play involved.

Rafael's death is the fourth reported suicide in January among gay teens that has been attributed in part to anti-gay bullying.

On Jan 1, Jeffrey Fehr, 18, hanged himself at his family’s home in Granite Bay, Calif.; on Jan. 20, Tennessee teen Phillip Parker, 14, was also found dead, the victim of an apparent suicide -- his parents said Phillip was constantly bullied because he was gay.

And on Jan. 11, Eric James Borges, an intern at The Trevor Project also took his life -- EricJames, as he was known, was repeatedly bullied, tormented and terrorized for most of his life. His religious-extremist parents chose not to attend his memorial.

The bill, garnering three more votes than the required 25, passed with bipartisan support of 24 Democrats and four Republicans.

The bill now moves to the House, where it already has enough support to pass.

Lacey All, Chairperson of Washington United for Marriage, a broad statewide coalition of organizations, congregations, unions and business associations working to advance marriage equality in Washington state, released the following statement within minutes of the Senate adjournment for the evening:

"We thank Majority Leader Brown, Sen. Murray and the bipartisan coalition of senators who stood with us today in the name of equality. "

The overwhelming support we’re seeing from businesses, labor, faith communities and people all across the state is a testament to the momentum of this movement and sensibilities of Washingtonians.

"Volunteers from every part of the state have contributed thousands of hours of their time to make today possible, and we thank them for their commitment to this issue.”

Senate Republicans introduced a series of amendments, which passed, that would ensure protections for religious bodies, churches, and institutions -- including affiliated child adoption and fostering agencies -- that would protect them from charges of bias or discrimination for refusing to sanctify, solemnise, or otherwise embrace same sex marriage.

An amendment to put the legislation on the November ballot was defeated after Sen. Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) reminded colleagues that the purpose of representational democracy was to prevent minorities' civil liberties being infringed and voted on by the majority.

Following the vote, amid cheering Senators, a motion was made without objection to to immediately advance the bill to the state's House of Represenatives for its consideration -- a vote in the House could occur as early as next week, and supporters are confident there are enough votes for passage.

Once the state House has approved the legislation, Gov. Chris Gregoire would have five business days to sign it into law, which she has indicated she will do.

Gay and lesbian couples would then be able to wed beginning in June, unless opponents follow through on their threat to seek a ballot referendum.

A referendum cannot be filed until after the bill is passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gregoire -- opponents would need 120,577 signatures by June 6.

Washington has had a domestic partnership law since 2007 and an “everything but marriage” expansion of the domestic partnership law since 2009.

“Our staff and volunteers have been working hard to make sure senators hear from their constituents,” said Zach Silk, Campaign Manager of Washington United for Marriage.

“We have said from the beginning that we could only be successful in winning marriage equality if legislators heard the compelling stories from their constituents," said Silk. "Those stories have literally changed hearts and minds over the course of this campaign.”

In addition to the 24,000 postcards being delivered today, advocates delivered 4,300 cards to priority senators following last week’s senate committee hearings. Advocates have also transferred more than 2,500 phone calls from constituents to their senators.

The full senate is expected to debate and vote on the legislation this evening, and final house approval could come as early as next week.

Once the senate and house has passed the legislation, Gov. Chris Gregoire would have five business days to sign it into law, which she has indicated she will do.

Opponents wishing to challenge the new law would have until June to collect 120,557 valid signatures – the amount required to place a referendum on the November 2012 ballot.

The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines in favor of the bill, with seven Democrats voting for, and six Republicans voting against. The state's Senate is expected to vote on its companion bill within days.

Three GOP amendments were rejected, including one that would have added private businesses and individuals -- such as bakers and photographers -- to the measure's religious exemption, a clause that protects churches, clergy and other religious organizations from penalties for refusing to perform same-sex unions.

State Rep. Jay Rodne (R-Snoqualmie), called the bill “an act of raw political power to modify the definition of marriage," and said "there has been no compelling justification to abandon traditional marriage.”

Opponents of same sex marriage have already promised a referendum battle at the ballot if the Legislature passes the bill and it’s signed into law.

State Sen. Ed Murray (D-Seattle), who is sponsoring the Senate version of the bill, said Monday that he expects a floor vote on the measure as early as Wednesday; a Senate committee voted on Friday to advance Murray’s bill.

Prior to last week, it wasn’t certain the Senate would have the support to pass the measure, due to a handful of undecided Democrats. But last Monday, after the first public hearing on the issue, a previously undecided Democratic senator, Mary Margaret Haugen, said she would vote in support of the measure, all but ensuring its passage.

Both legislative efforts have the backing of several prominent national businesses, including Microsoft, Nike and Starbucks.

If a marriage bill is passed during this legislative session, gay and lesbian couples will be able to be wed beginning in June, unless opponents follow through on their threat to seek a ballot referendum.

A referendum cannot be filed until after the bill is passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gregoire -- opponents would need 120,577 signatures by June 6.

Washington has had a domestic partnership law since 2007 and an “everything but marriage” expansion of the domestic partnership law since 2009.

Washington state capital building

The Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee approved the measure by a vote of 4-3 vote, sending the bill to the Senate floor for a vote as early as next week. Proponent say they already have enough votes to pass the measure both the House and the Senate.

Several amendments introduced by Senate Republicans were rejected, including one that would have required that the measure be included on the November ballot, reported the Associated Press.

Earlier this week, following the first public hearing on the issue, state Senator Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano Island), who was previously undecided on the issue, announced her support for the measure, giving proponents the 25 Senate votes needed for passage.

The state House already had secured enough votes to pass the measure, and Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire publicly endorsed the measure on Jan. 4, calling it "the right thing to do."

Opponents of same-sex marriage have already promised a referendum battle at the ballot if the Legislature passes the bill and Gregoire signs it into law.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in six states -- New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont -- and the District of Columbia.

Earlier this month, Microsoft, Nike and Group Health Plan and several other corporations endorsed same-sex marriage, which also has the support of Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Starbucks said in a statement Tuesday that it was "proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington state legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples."

"This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks' business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners," the Starbucks statement read.

“We thank Starbucks, Google, Alcoa and the more than two dozen other businesses that recently came out publicly in support of marriage equality,” said Lacey All, Chair of Washington United for Marriage, the coalition working to pass marriage equality in Washington State.

“Marriage equality provides a multitude of intangible benefits to Washington businesses," All said.

"Recognizing the relationships of all -- irrespective of sexual orientation -- means an open and innovative business climate that ensures fundamental fairness and basic civil rights for all.

"The addition of these companies continues to show that momentum in Washington State is on the side of equality for all Washingtonians."

Proponents of the measure say the Washington state legislature appears to now have the 25 votes in the Senate necessary to legalize same-sex marriage -- the state House already has enough lawmakers in support of the measure to approve it as well.

If a marriage bill is passed during this legislative session, gay and lesbian couples will be able to get married starting in June unless opponents file a referendum to challenge it.

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Washington state legislature appears to have the votes necessary to legalize same-sex marriage, as another state Senator on Monday announced her support for the measure, giving proponents the 25 votes needed for passage.

State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano Island), said Monday she would become the 25th Senator the support the bill, while hundreds of people filled the capitol to advocate for and against gay marriage.

The Senate began considering the bill during a morning committee hearing.

"I know this announcement makes me the so-called 25th vote, the vote that ensures passage. That's neither here nor there. If I were the first or the seventh or the 28th vote, my position would not be any different," Haugen said in a statement.

"I happen to be the 25th because I insisted on taking this much time to hear from my constituents and to sort it out for myself, to reconcile my religious beliefs with my beliefs as an American, as a legislator, and as a wife and mother who cannot deny to others the joys and benefits I enjoy," she added.

Seattle Times

The state House already has enough lawmakers in support of the measure to approve it, and earlier this month Gov. Chris Gregoire announced her support for bill as well, calling it "the right thing to do."

If a marriage bill is passed during this legislative session, gay and lesbian couples will be able to get married starting in June unless opponents file a referendum to challenge it.

Opponents, including the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) pledged its support to help mount a referendum campaign.

Last week, the NOM announced it would spend $250,000 in Washington state to help defeat any Republican who supports the bill. To date, two Republicans in the Senate and two in the House have said they would vote in support of gay marriage.

Same-sex marriage is already legal in six states -- New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont -- and the District of Columbia.

The report estimates the economic impact of extending marriage to same-sex couples in Washington State on local businesses and government budgets, and finds that the total spending on wedding arrangements and tourism by resident same-sex couples and their guests is likely to generate $8 million in tax revenue for state and local governments.

The figures in the report draw upon data on average wedding expenditures in Washington and tourism reports from 2010, along with data regarding marriage expenses by same-sex couples in other states.

The report considers that couples in existing registered domestic partnerships might have different spending patterns from couples that do not have that status. Even if there was no new spending by the 7,518 couples currently in registered domestic partnerships, the state would see an estimated increase in spending of $18 million and a tax boost of $1.6 million.

“Our study estimates that resident same-sex couples will spend $39 million on weddings in Washington in the first year alone,” said co-author Angeliki Kastanis, Public Policy Research Fellow at the Williams Institute. Added Kastanis, “That translates to approximately $3.4 million in tax revenue, given Washington sales tax rates.”

Washington state appears closer to legalizing same-sex marriage -- State Sen. Jim Kastama announced Friday that he will support the state’s marriage equality bill in the Senate, putting it just one vote shy of passage.

Kastama, a conservative Democrat from a politically diverse district, said his decision is a "deeply personal one."

"Unlike some of my colleagues in liberal districts, I will not return home to cheers and handshakes," Kastama said.

"I represent the district I was raised in. My wife and I purchased and live in the same house I grew up in and we have raised our family there. My district has known me my whole life and for 16 years has entrusted me to be a fiercely independent legislator. The people of my district are generous and decent, but I also know that there are childhood friends who will never forgive me for this vote.”

A broad coalition of businesses, including Microsoft, Nike and Real Networks, signed a letter Thursday in support of the legislation.

A same-sex marriage bill is expected to be introduced in the state legislature by the end of the week, and according to a tally by the Associated Press, more Washington lawmakers are firmly supporting gay marriage than opposing it, currently by a margin of 22-18 of the state's Senators.

Of the state's 49 Senators, that leaves 9 currently undecided or unwilling to publicly state their position.

The measure needs 25 votes to pass the Senate. The House is widely expected to have enough support, and Gov. Chris Gregoire publicly endorsed gay marriage for the first time last week.

Four Democrats say they are considering whether to support it, including one who is leaning in favor. A pair of Republicans is among those supporting the proposal, and two first-term GOP members said they are still discussing the issue with constituents.

Democratic Sen. Ed Murray, a gay lawmaker from Seattle who has for years led efforts to approve same-sex marriage, said that he's "50 percent optimistic" it will pass. He noted that he saw a gay civil rights measure he spearheaded lose by one vote in 2005 before it passed by a single vote the following year.

Associated Press, via The Seattle Times

Gay-marriage proponents think the necessary votes exist for passage in the state House; but the math is more complicated in the Senate.

GOP support is critical to passage in the Senate, and two Republican senators -- Steve Litzow of Mercer Island and Cheryl Pflug of Maple Valley -- said they are now supporting gay marriage, calling it a a matter of equality. Two first-term Republicans representing suburban districts -- Sens. Joe Fain of Auburn and Andy Hill of Redmond -- also left open the possibility of supporting the bill.

The increased support of same-sex marriage mirrors shifts in public opinion on the issue, and comes 15 years after Washington lawmakers overrode a governor's veto to pass a law defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Since then, Washington state has expanded rights for gays and lesbians -- the state's initial domestic partnership law passed in 2007 and the final expansion of that law, the 2009 so-called "everything but marriage" law, was later upheld by voters.

Buoyed by the recent support from the Governor, Democratic supporters indicate a sense of urgency to get gay marriage through the legislature this year, in case Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna wins in November.

McKenna has said he is opposed to same-sex marriage.

Currently, same-sex marriage is legal in six states — Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont — and the District of Columbia.

Nine states — California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington — provide same-sex couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Chris Gregoire

In fact, while running for governor in 2004, she said, "I do not believe that Washington state is ready to support gay marriage."

“It’s time, it’s the right thing to do, and I will introduce a bill to do it,” Gregoire said.

“I say that as a wife, a mother, a student of the law, and above all as a Washingtonian with a lifelong commitment to equality and freedom. Some say domestic partnerships are the same as marriage. That’s a version of the discriminatory ‘separate but equal’ argument.”

[...]

“Our gay and lesbian families face the same hurdles as heterosexual families—making ends meet, choosing what school to send their kids to, finding someone to grow old with, standing in front of friends and family and making a lifetime commitment,” Gregoire said.

“For all couples, a state marriage license is very important. It gives them the right to enter into a marriage contract in which their legal interests, and those of their children if any, are protected by well-established civil law.”

“Throughout our history, we have fought discrimination,” Gregoire said. “We have joined together to recognize equality for racial minorities, women, people with disabilities, immigrants. Please join today to support equality again in our great state. It is the right thing to do and it is time.”

The proposal will be introduced during the legislative session that starts Monday.

Gregoire’s announcement today follows years of advocating for equal rights for gays and lesbians.

In 2006, she signed legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing and other areas. In 2007, Substitute Senate Bill 5336 created the state's domestic partnership registry.

A year later, Gregoire signed House Bill 3104 which added additional rights and responsibilities relating to issues such as dissolutions, community property, estate planning, taxes, court process, conflicts of interest for public officials and guardianships.

The rights of same-sex couples in Washington state have since been expanded in a series of subsequent laws, culminating in 2009's "everything but marriage law," which was upheld by a public vote on Referendum 71 that fall.

Currently, same-sex marriage is legal in six states -- Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont -- and the District of Columbia.

Nine states -- California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington -- provide same-sex couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state due to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

The legal challenge was brought by the anti-gay group Protect Marriage Washington, an affiliate of the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage (NOM). The group had argued that release of the petitions would put signers at risk for harassment.

“This means we can once again release these public records,” said Katie Blinn, co-director of state elections in the office of Secretary of State Sam Reed.

According to Seattle PI, the case -- Doe v. Reed -- has traversed through federal court system in an seemingly endless round of rulings and challenges. The Supreme Court had stated in an earlier 8-1 decision, that signatures on initiative petitions should be a matter of public record.

The Supremes sent the case back to U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma. Settle has ruled that sponsors of the anti-gay measure did not prove that they have been harassed — or would face harassment — if named on the Ref. 71 petitions were released.

Several plaintiffs seeking to block release of the names — e.g. Rev. Ken Hutcherson, Faith and Freedom leader Gary Randall and State Sen. Val Stevens — are longtime public leaders and advocates in opposition to marriage equality.

The group Protect Marriage Washington had asked that release of names be blocked until the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals hears an appeal of Judge Settle’s ruling. Settle, the 9th Circuit and the Supreme Court have now rejected the group’s request.

Secretary of State Reed is a longtime advocate for releasing the names. He has argued that signing an initiative petition is equivalent to a lawmaker sponsoring legislation. He has pointed out that, with one exception, all states with initiative and referendum laws provide for the release of signatures.

Reed received an eloquent boost in an opinion by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in the court’s earlier ruling.

“There are laws against threats and intimidation; and harsh criticism, short of unlawful action, is the price our people have traditionally been willing to pay for self-governance. Requiring people to stand up in public for their political acts fosters civic courage, without which democracy is doomed.”

Seattle PI

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that release of the signatures does not violate constitutional rights, but the justices allowed advocates to pursue their case and prove that releasing signatures would put signers in danger.

Referendum 71 asked voters to approve or reject the state’s domestic partnership law, which granted registered domestic partners additional state rights previously given only to married couples. It was approved with 53 percent of the vote.

The grassroots effort is led by a group of the state’s leading human rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, Equal Rights Washington, Human Rights Campaign, Legal Voice, and Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest.

Washington United for Marriage marks the ultimate step toward achieving the freedom to marry for lesbian and gay couples in Washington, the group said in a statement.

The long list of supporting members includes faith-based organizations such as the Faith Action Network and Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, unions including SEIU Washington State Council and UFCW 21, and numerous advocacy organizations and business associations across the state.

Washington United for Marriage will lead the statewide effort to educate and advocate for the freedom to marry for all Washingtonians. The coalition will mobilize constituents to talk to their legislators before and during the 2012 legislative session to ensure that the majority of Washington state citizens who support marriage equality have their voices heard. The goal is to have legislation legalizing civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire next year.

“The freedom to marry the person you love is fundamental to a democratic society,” said Jennifer Shaw, deputy director of the ACLU of Washington. “The ACLU has joined Washington United for Marriage because it is a matter of basic fairness that all loving, committed couples should be able to marry.”

Washington United for Marriage said it plans to build momentum and support over the coming months by engaging constituents throughout Washington state at a series of town hall meetings held at various places of worship and community centers throughout the state.

“Though we come from different parts of Washington state, we are united in ensuring that all of Washington’s gay and lesbian couples can legally marry,” said Rod Hearne, executive director of Equal Rights Washington, the state’s LGBT civil rights organization.

“Countless individuals have a story to tell about why civil marriage matters to them, and we will work neighbor-to-neighbor to ensure the voices of the loving and committed couples in Washington, many raising children, are heard,” he said.

A statewide poll released by the University of Washington Center for Survey Research last month found most Washington state voters would support marriage equality for same-sex couples if approved by the state legislature.

Of voters surveyed, 55 percent indicated they would uphold a Legislature-approved same-sex marriage law if it were challenged by referendum. The poll found 38 percent would oppose the law and 7 percent were undecided.

However, additional questions in the poll found that 44 percent of voters surveyed said gays and lesbians should have the same legal right as straight couples to marry; and 22 percent said they should have the same legal rights as married couples, but it should not be called marriage.

Seventeen percent said there should be no legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples.

The Seattle Times

State Senator Ed Murray (D-Seattle) and Representative Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) both have indicated they're considering a push for a same sex marriage measure in the next regular session in January 2012.

Both have worked on LGBTQ equality issues for a number of years and have been building political support incrementally for same sex marriage in Washington State.

The release of the petitions -- showing the 138,000 signatures for Referendum 71 -- came despite an attorney’s vow to appeal the ruling and seek temporary protection from the disclosure of names.

In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma said there was insufficient evidence of likely danger to R-71 signers to carve out an exception to state public records law that would shield the names of people who signed it.

In a strongly worded, 34-page ruling, Settle said every citizen should be concerned that advocating for traditional marriage, as Protect Marriage does, engenders such hostility in this state.

Yet, if Protect Marriage could get around the Public Records Act "by simply providing a few isolated incidents of profane or indecent statements, gestures, or other examples of uncomfortable conversations, ... disclosure would become the exception instead of the rule," the judge said.

The Seattle Times

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that release of the signatures does not violate constitutional rights, but the justices allowed advocates to prove that the release would put signers in danger.

Washington's Republican secretary of state Sam Reed says he's pleased that open government prevailed.

"If somebody wants to change the laws in the State of Washington, they really ought to do it in the public square," Reed said. "Do it publicly, just like legislators do who sponsor legislation."

Referendum 71 asked voters to approve or reject the state's domestic partnership law, which granted registered domestic partners additional state rights previously given only to married couples. It was approved with 53 percent of the vote.

Protect Marriage Washington is an affiliate of the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage.

Two websites run by gay rights activists say they plan to post the names of the referendum petition signers online, in a searchable format.