Washington high court upholds state law against same-sex marriage

Published: 2006-07-27

SEATTLE (CNS) -- The Washington Supreme Court July 26 upheld the state's law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman, overturning two lower-court rulings that had called the law an unconstitutional discrimination against same-sex couples. Archbishop Alex J. Brunett of Seattle praised the court's 5-4 ruling. "The essential reality of marriage as a creative union for the protection and education of children is a long-held understanding not only by the church but by virtually all civilized societies throughout history," he said. The ruling left Massachusetts continuing to hold its unique position as the only state where same-sex marriages are legal. Vermont and Connecticut are the only states that recognize same-sex civil unions, according the partners in such unions the same rights held by spouses in marriage.

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