IN SEATTLE, A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO MARRIAGE LAWS: From the New York Times

The gay marriage debate rippled into Washington State on Monday, as six same-sex couples filed a lawsuit challenging the state's Defense of Marriage Act and the Seattle mayor said the city would now recognize gay marriages forged elsewhere. ...

Washington is one of 38 states with laws barring the recognition of gay marriages. The state's Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage as between a man and a woman. ...

The six couples here applied for and were denied marriage licenses Monday morning in King County, which includes Seattle. Ron Sims, who is the King County executive, a supporter of gay marriage and a candidate for governor, participated in a staged event encouraging the couples to sue him and other county officials. They did so, filing a challenge to Washington's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act.

"I have always said I will follow the rule of law," Mr. Sims said. "I will not issue licenses, but I thought it was appropriate to have a challenge through the court system."

Lisa Stone, executive director of the Northwest Women's Law Center, one of the legal groups representing the six couples in the suit, said she thought it was more effective to mount a legal challenge to the state law, rather than encourage city, county or state officials to issue marriage licenses in defiance of the law, only to have them legally challenged later.

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posted by Eve at 5:02 PM | link

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