OLYMPIA – A bill vastly expanding rights for same-sex couples in Washington is on its way to the governor.
From there it could end up on the ballot where voters will get their say.
On a mostly partisan 62-35 vote, the House of Representatives approved the legislation making married couples and same-sex couples legally indistinguishable in the eyes of the state.
Senate Bill 5688 will go to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it.
Those opposed are vowing to try to repeal it this fall.
Larry Stickney of Arlington, who is president of the Washington Values Alliance, has said he’s preparing a referendum for the November ballot.
Supporters said it will strengthen families while opponents said it is a final stride toward legalizing marriage for gays and lesbians in Washington.
Two years ago, the Legislature made it legal for same-sex couples and heterosexual couples in which at least one person is 62 years or older to register with the state as domestic partnerships. Today there are 5,246 of them.
Then, in 2008 lawmakers extended to them protection of laws involving probate and trusts, community property and powers of attorney.
This year’s bill changes all remaining areas of state law where currently only married couples are addressed. This means adding same-sex domestic partners to state statutes ranging from labor and employment to pensions and other public employee benefits.
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