Washington State Officials Happy With Ruling On Gay Marriage

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, who led efforts to pass a gay marriage law in Washington state, was among the many local officials who praised the Supreme Court decision making same-sex unions legal in all 50 states.

At an emotional City Hall news conference Friday morning, Murray thanked the Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of gay marriage and welcomed all Americans "to the other side of the rainbow."

Murray, who is gay, was in the state Legislature in 2012 when lawmakers approved a same-sex marriage bill. That measure was later upheld by Washington voters.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement the "court ruling is another big step in American's long road to justice for all."

Not all were pleased with the Supreme Court decision. Family Policy Institute of Washington Executive Director Joseph Backholm said in a statement the justices had gone against the will of tens of millions of people in states that had voted against gay marriage.