Will State of Washington Now Approve Gay Marriage?

With the passage of a civil rights bill on Friday that extends protection to gays and lesbians, attention in the state of Washington is now on its Supreme Court where 19 same-sex couples are challenging a state law that bars them from marriage. They are contending that the state's Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violates the privileges and immunities clause of the state constitution, which they claim prohibits any law that grants benefits to one group that are not afforded to all. A decision in the case is expected at any time.  Source:  Lornet Turnbull, Seattle Times, SeattleTimes.nwsouce.com. For the complete story, please click here (last visited January 28, 2006, reo).