Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has announced her support for legislation that would legalize gay marriage. On Wednesday, Gregoire said she would introduce same-sex marriage legislation after the new session opens next week.

Gov. Chris Gregoire: “Today I’m announcing my support for a law that gives our same-sex couples in our state the right to receive a marriage license in Washington—the same right given to our heterosexual couples. It is time. It’s the right thing to do. And I will introduce the bill to make it happen.”

If the measure is approved, Washington would become the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage after New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa, as well as the District of Columbia.