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OLYMPIA, Wash. - Cal Anderson, the state's first openly gay lawmaker, died of AIDS more than a decade ago. Before passing, he asked a friend for a promise: that he would keep working on gay civil rights legislation.

"I remember the day that Cal told me he didn't have much longer to live," said Rep. Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat. "One of the things he asked was if I would continue work on this bill."

The bill passed the Senate 25-23, with a lone Republican joining Democrats in voting in favor. The House approved it 61-37, and Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire said she would sign it Tuesday.

Murray was given a standing ovation when it passed the House, and colleagues surrounded gay lawmakers to congratulate them.

"History is going to look kindly upon the legislators who had the courage to vote for this," said Rep. Dave Upthegrove, who cried when the bill passed the House. "It's a great day for equality, for fairness."