(KCEN) -- Starting today in Washington state, gay and lesbian couples can start getting hitched.
This comes after Washington Governor Chris Gregoire signed a voter-approved measure legalizing same-sex marriage yesterday evening.
Nearly 54 percent of voters backed the measure on election day.
Religious organizations are not required by law to marry gay or lesbian couples.
Washington is the seventh state to legalize gay marriage.
Also today, Maryland is set to legalize same sex marriage.