image via Fibonacci on Flickr

For Senator Debbie Regala the vote represented the next shift in the institution of marriage.

For her, the approval of same-sex marriage by the senate only showed that marriage is a static institution as exemplified by the passage of interracial marriage – a vote that allowed her husband and her to marry.

Now Regala waits for the next course of action for the bill.  The bill will be passed on to the House for official legalization with the strong backing of Governor Gregoire.

The night of the senate vote (as live-blogged by the Stranger) started with the word of Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen warning the senators to keep things civil. The senators knew they would be there until the bill either passed or was vetoed. Sen. Ed Murray promised the it would be over before sunrise.

His wish was granted with a speedy vote at 7:58 pm.

Debate was limited and statements were restricted to 3 minutes or less. Senators were forced to make their points without extended examples or oracle flourishes.

Supporters of the bill pointed out why the bills should be passed – some by bringing up personal ties to same-sex couples. While opponents asked if the Senate had the right to change the institution of marriage and pointed towards possible civil disputes over the matter.

Senator Dan Swecker worried that same-sex marriage would “create a hostile environment for those of us who believe in traditional marriage.”

Other disagreed saying that issues is not something you leave in the hands of the people or a matter that would affect currently married couples in Washington.

The night ended with a message from Gregoire saying: “Tonight the Washington State Senate stood up for what is right and told families in our state that they are equal and the state cannot be in the business of discrimination…I am proud our elected leaders recognized that responsibility.”

He continued to say that the vote showed “Washington’s commitment to equality. Fair-minded and responsibility leaders crafted a bill that protects religious freedoms while ensuring legal rights. I encourage the House to approve this bill and get it to my desk for my signature.”

If Gregoire does end up putting his John Hancock on the bill after the approval of the House Washington will be the 7th state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

Gregoire expects that this moment will come sooner than some may have guessed. As early as next week.

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