Despite calls for a boycott by the hateful religious zealots in our country, the state of Washington passed a gay rights bill.  Approved by both the Senate and House in rapid succession, Governor Chris Gregoire said she would sign the bill on Tuesday.

Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, reversed his previous position to turn the tide this year.

“This has been a terribly difficult issue for me,” said Finkbeiner as he explained his change of heart.

“What we are really talking about here is…whether or not it’s OK to be gay or homosexual in this state. On whether or not it’s appropriate to be discriminating against or to discriminate against someone because of that.”

He said being gay or lesbian isn’t a choice.

“People don’t choose this. We don’t choose who we love, the heart chooses who we love,” Finkbeiner said.

“I don’t believe that it is right … to say that it’s acceptable to discriminate against people because of that , because of who their heart chooses to love. I can not stand with that argument.”

Wow!  Common sense, tolerance and equality from a Republican who originally voted against the bill last year.  There’s hope for this country yet.