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      In a case involving 19 homosexual couples who challenged the constitutionality of Washington's DOMA, the State Supreme Court's decision clearly delineated the issues. The court stated: "The two cases before us require us to decide whether the legislature has the power to limit marriage in Washington State to opposite-sex couples. The state constitution and controlling case law compel us to answer 'yes,' and we therefore reverse the trial courts."

      Pro-family leaders' response to the ruling has been a mixture of surprise, exultation, and excitement. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council is one of many traditional marriage supporters who says he did not see this decision coming. "We had anticipated the court striking down [Washington's] Defense of Marriage Act," he admits, "but we're obviously pleased that the court has exercised judicial restraint."

      Perkins says this decision demonstrates that U.S. courts are not immune to the political reality that the majority of Americans are determined to protect marriage. "It is not a coincidence," he contends, "that these decisions, since the first one in Massachusetts, have turned the other way when state after state after state has passed marriage amendments protecting marriage."

      Jan LaRue of Concerned Women for America (CWA) says members of her group have been "holding our breath waiting for this one." Now, she says, traditional marriage supporters can "celebrate another win" for marriage, democracy, and judicial restraint. (Agape Press)