Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire is pushing a marriage bill in that state. (Photo by Evan Derickson)

To the surprise of no-one Romney finished first in the New Hampshire primaries yesterday, with nearly 40% of all votes cast. The runners-up in order are Ron Paul, Jon Huntsman, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry — who skipped the state to campaign in South Carolina instead. Here’s the rest of what is catching our attention this morning.

• A formerly NOM-backed city council candidate who once challenged Harry Thomas’ city council seat, and vowed to undo marriage equality in Washington D.C. now tells the Blade he will not seek to repeal the marriage law, and will try building bridges in the LGBT community.
• An Oklahoma lawmaker is seeking to reinstate ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ for his state National Guard.
• In an 8-1 vote on language introduced by openly gay council member Joe McDermott, Washington state’s largest county, King, voted to endorse the new marriage equality bill.
• The SoulForce Equality Ride is back to cross the nation again in 2012, driving to colleges from Philadelphia to San Francisco, with the announcement of new co-directors Jason Conner and J. Mason.
• The Daughter of anti-gay Australian Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, bucks her father and comes out in support of marriage equality. Cue awkward family dinner.

Finally, you have got to see Buy Junes’ ‘Shades of Purple,’ a really cute video about a couple that just wanted to be able to love.