Wash. Gay Marriage Bill Becomes Law, Opponents Livid

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has signed a bill, Monday, which legalizes gay marriage, into law, making the state the seventh in the U.S. to allow gay and lesbians to marry.

However, LGBTs shouldn't start celebrating because opponents of the bill will challenge it, which could effectively put the law on hold and get the issue on the November ballot.

An initiative, which could overturn the new law, was also filed separately.

Nonetheless, advocates for gay and lesbians rights are happy because they feel the law recognizes equal treatment of everyone.

"After amazing support from both the Senate and the House earlier this month, signing the marriage equality bill late this morning was the next step toward providing equal treatment for all loving and committed families," Lisa M. Stone, executive director of Legal Voice, a nonprofit that advocates for gay and lesbian rights, said.

"We ARE going to exercise our right to referendum and reject this law!" the Family Policy Institute of Washington said on its Web site, Sunday, in anticipation of Gregoire's signing.

"Don’t forget to continue to pray that the citizens of Washington State will be fearless in their support and defense of traditional marriage between one man and one woman. Send out requests across the state, nation and world for other faithful to join us in prayer to move hearts here in Washington to unify, organize a successful referendum campaign and to vote for traditional marriage," the organization said.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he will veto any legislation that allows gay and lesbian couples to wed. The state Senate had passed a bill, which legalizes gay marriages, on Monday. The bill is expected to be passed by the state Assembly on Thuesday.

Christie said he wants to put the definition of marriage to a referendum but gay rights groups are opposing it because they feel the future of the civil rights of minority should not be at mercy of the majority.

Five years ago, New Jersey's state Supreme Court had ruled that gay couples should have the same rights as married heterosexual couples and, in response, the state Legislature had created a civil union law that grants gay couples the legal protections of marriage. However, gay rights advocates feel the 'civil union' designation is hard to understand and as it still distinguishes committed gays differently from married couples, the courts should abolish civil unions and recognize gay marriages.

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