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The same-sex couples who wed in Oregon may not be married forever. Judge Bearden's ruling that the state must recognize the marriages is being contested, and everyone is waiting for the higher courts. But Roey Thorpe got what she wanted: the pro-gay side goes into that case with the p.r. armor of 6,044 happy newlyweds. Those who oppose same-sex marriage must now argue against rights already granted. "I give them credit for achieving that beachhead," says the G.O.P.'s Mannix. "But will that short-term objective be worth weakening their long-term objectives?"
Linn answers this way: "I only wish [opponents] had seen the looks on the faces of people outside our building the day I made the announcement ... For them, we opened up the opportunity for a lifetime dream." Sometimes you have to lay everything on the line to make a dream come true.