Washington's Governor on Marriage

She wants committed gay couples to have all the benefits of civil marriage:

After years of declining to state her personal views on the matter - and without using the words "civil union," - Gov. Chris Gregoire said at a press conference a few minutes ago that the state should provide gay and lesbian couples with the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexuals, but without actual marriage.

"As to my personal beliefs, Mike and I received the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic faith," she said. "State government provided us with certain rights and responsibilities, but the state did not marry us."

"I believe the state should provide these same rights and responsibilities to all citizens. I also believe the sacrament of marriage is between two people and their faith; it is not the business of the state."

The state legislature should get to work. Which was the not-so-subtle message of the court.