After more than a decade in the making, the Washington state Senate passed a bill Wednesday night that legalizes same-sex marriages in Washington.

The measure passed by a historic vote of 28-21.

The bill now moves to the House, where it's expected to pass easily, according to Andrew Garber of The Seattle Times.

Any opposition to the bill cannot be filed until after Gov. Chris Gregoire signs the legislation.

If the bill is approved, it would make Washington the seventh state in the nation to allow same-sex marriages.

In June, New York became the sixth and largest state to legalize gay marriage. It is also legal in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.



