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Washington State Just One Vote Short Of Passing Gay-Marriage Bill

One more swing Democrat has come around on the gay-marriage issue in Washington State, bringing the marriage-equality bill just one vote shy of passing.

State Senator Jim Kastama (right), a Democrat who voted in 1998 to ban gay marriage in the state, says his evolution on the issue is a “deeply personal one,” according to the Seattle Times.

Kastama announced yesterday he will vote yes on gay marriage.

“My district has known me my whole life and for 16 years has entrusted me to be a fiercely independent legislator,” he said. “The people of my district are generous and decent, but I also know that there are childhood friends who will never forgive me for this vote.”

Screw your childhood friends, Jim. Keep on being fierce.

Another factor that will hopefully convince undecided Senators to vote on the right side of history: Microsoft, Nike, RealNetworks, Group Health Cooperative, and Concur have sent a letter calling for gay marriage to pass.

Here’s the list of undecideds: Andy Hill, R-Redmond; Joe Fain, R-Auburn; Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island; Paull Shin, D-Edmonds; and Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond.

Click on their names to e-mail them and tell them you want Washington State to be the seventh marriage-equality state, especially if you are a constituent in any of their districts. Let them know there may be financial rewards for doing so.

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