She became the first governor in the country to speak to the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute. About 200 institute members are meeting in downtown Seattle this weekend.

"I come to you today to say, 'don't you ever give up,' " Gov. Gregoire told the group.

"The governor carries a lot of weight when she stands up there and says, 'I believe in what you're doing. I believe in you as public officials and I can't imagine that you don't have equality in your jurisdiction, or throughout the country or in the State of Washington,' " said Chuck Wolfe, President of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute.

The governor says she never hesitated to speak here.

"How could anyone not go before these public servants who've decided to dedicate their lives to public service to say thank you for what they are doing and to say this country, my family embraces the same principals you do and that is and that is equality," said Governor Gregoire.

The group is made up of openly gay or lesbian elected and appointed leaders. Most of the members are from the U.S. The institute started 21 years ago with just 13 members. This year, 200 members attended.

They say their numbers in local, state and national government are growing. In 1991, there were only 49 open gays and lesbians that held office. Now, there are 305 across the country.

"We are in the greatest nation of the world but we are a great nation only if we understand and believe in equal justice," the governor told the group.

But Gregoire says we don't yet have equal justice in this state. She cites her disappointment that a state anti-discrimination bill failed by one vote this year. Also, the controversy over gay marriage is not yet resolved. The State Supreme Court is still considering what could be a landmark case. The governor would not say whether she supports gay marriage, only that she supports equality.