Homophobia and racism are not the same thing, but they share a common root in prejudice and are sometimes expressed in similar ways: social ostracization, beatings, killings, barriers to work, education, housing and public places.

The intensity of discrimination endured by the various categories of people facing prejudice may not always be the same, but to the individual on the receiving end of the discrimination, it hardly matters whether others have received the same amperage of misery.

Fifteen years ago the Washington state Legislature overrode Gov. Gary Locke’s veto and passed the discriminatory “defense of marriage act” (DOMA) to prevent gay and lesbian couples from obtaining civil marriage licenses. Today the Washington state Legislature became the first in the nation to correct its DOMA mistake and pass a marriage equality bill.

The House is expected to pass the bill as early at this Friday, and Gov. Gregoire is eager to sign it. These are momentous, historic actions, but they are not the end of the story. Anti-equality activists have promised to put a referendum on the November, 2012 ballot, asking voters to approve or reject the new law.

Despite timely, cogent research showing gay couples form loving and committed partnerships when allowed to do so, anti-gay Pastor Joe Fuiten has written an article called “Turning Marriage into a Farce” contending that “[g]ay marriage is not a step of human progress but a regression to marriage as a joke.” Here we take down the Pastor’s sources, data and logic.

Washington’s marriage equality bill got its first public hearings in House and Senate committees on Monday. Faith leaders both Jewish and Christian came forward to testify in support of the bill. Their message to the legislature was clear: stop discriminating against our right to solemnize marriages for gay and lesbian couples. Civil marriage laws should facilitate free religious expression, not hinder it based on one sect’s beliefs.

The wait has been excruciating to see who would become the final dedicated vote needed in the Washington state Senate to pass the marriage equality bill (SB 6239). Today, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano Island) announced that she’s signing on for equality.

In response to the filing on Friday of Washington’s civil marriage equality bill, the Washington State Catholic Conference issued a statement in opposition called “Marriage and the Common Good“.

Backed by an impressive 23 co-sponsors and a “By Request: Gov. Gregoire” note, the much-anticipated marriage equality bill has been introduced into the Washington state Senate.