Washington state is on its way to becoming the seventh state in the nation to allow gay and lesbians to get married.

The State Senate held its first public hearing on the legalization of same-sex marriage today and after Senator Mary Margaret Haughen, D - Camoano Island, announced her support for the measure,the senate reached a majority in favor of marriage equality.

“My congratulations to all 25 State Senators who have shown the courage and leadership to pledge their support of marriage equality," said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a statement, and urged the remaining senators to "step up to this historic moment, and cast their vote for this landmark civil rights legislation."

“Lawmakers in both houses should move swiftly to put this bill on the Governor’s desk," he said. "I look forward to the day I can sign marriage certificates for any adult couple in King County.”
 
Councilmember Joe McDermott, who sponsored the amendment to add marriage equality to the County’s legislative agenda, also praised the legislators’ support:
 
“Today’s announcement moves Washington closer to equal opportunity for gay and lesbian couples. We make history in recognizing that all couples should be treated equally under state law," he said.  “I look forward to our family and friends joining Michael, my partner of over 12 years, and I when we marry.”