We are disappointed for the state’s gay and lesbian community, for the plaintiff couples, and for our colleagues at Lambda Legal, the ACLU, and the Washington Women’s Law Center, who courageously fought for what’s right.

It’s a tough day for supporters of equality, but it’s important to remember that there are losses as well as victories in any social justice movement. Our quest for equal marriage to protect one another and our families is no different, and that means this work and this quest will continue whether it's in the courts or in the legislature.

Every poll has demonstrated that Americans are moving toward marriage equality, not away from it. And in fact, the more they learn about our lives, the more likely they are to support it. Ultimately, equality does prevail because Americans understand the justice and fundamental fairness in that approach.

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