Lawmakers in the U.S. state of Washington have voted in favour
of same-sex marriage, this week.
The bid won final legislative approval by 55 votes to 43, last
night.
According to
Reuters, Washington's Democratic Governor -
Christine Gregoire - is expected to sign the measure and "put into
law an end to an era of discrimination" next week.
Supporters in the public viewing galleries stood and
cheered as many on the Democratic side of the House floor hugged
after the vote, The Guardian add.
However, opponents have already promised to fight the move with a
ballot measure that would legally block same-sex weddings.
To do this, opponents must submit more than 120,000
signatures by 6 June.
The victory for gay equality comes just 24 hours after a court in
the west-coast state of California ruled that Proposition 8 was
unconstitutional.
Six other states already recognise gay marriage - New
York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa -
as does the District of Columbia.
