An historic night in Olympia as the Washington State Senate approves a bill recognizing marriage equality. Applause erupted from the galleries of the Senate Chambers on Wednesday night as a bipartisan majority approved Senate Bill 6239. Prime sponsor Senator Ed Murray had worked for 17 years for this day.

Sen. Murray: “We like you, seek the chance to live our lives, to experience joy, to care for our families, to contribute to our communities and to the nation we love. That is why we ask you to support this bill.”

The wait was also long for Senator Kevin Ranker, who spoke of the trials he and his family faced after his father came out.

Sen. Ranker: “Today I am proud. I am proud to stand on the right side of history. I am proud to fully support marriage equality, but mostly Mr. President, I am proud of my father.”

The bill is expected to easily pass the House of Representatives and then receive the signature of Governor Chris Gregoire, making Washington the seventh state in the nation to recognize marriage as a union blind to gender.