Last Wednesday, July 26, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, a law enacted in 1998 that limits marriages to a man and a woman. The upshot of the decision is that gay couples, pinning their hopes on a court in a state with a progressive reputation (most of the state, anyway), cannot legally wed here, in part, because they can't procreate. The Ballard News-Tribune believes marriage is about love, not procreation, and the vows of marriage are an expression of ideals, not a mission statement for population growth. People who find comfort in the discrimination of others have won this battle, but liberty cannot be legislated away forever.

"I'm a strong believer in marriage equality and that 20 years from now, our kids will be wondering what all the uproar was about."

-- 36th District State Representative Mary Lou Dickerson. Chair, Juvenile Justice & Family Law Committee

"This fight has just begun, and I will stand with those who want to end discrimination. I look forward to the day when gays and lesbians will no longer suffer discrimination and loving couples will enjoy marriage equality in our state."

-- King County Council President Larry Phillips

"I'm disappointed that the majority of our Supreme Court does not believe that our constitution stands for equal rights for all. Inequality, even when written in law, is inequality just the same."

-- Seattle City Council Member Tom Rasmussen

"Many of us remember a time not long ago when it was illegal to marry a person of a different color. Thankfully, those days are past. I believe we will soon be able to say the same thing about a ban on same-sex marriage."

-- Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels