Gay Couple Engagement Initiative Launched

Two Bremerton, Wash., men, Karl Urseth and Michael Maria, who have been together for 23 years, have placed an announcement in the Kitsap Sun newspaper stating their intent to marry as soon as they are legally able to do so.

The couple placed the notice at the request of Ben, a commenter on the website for Seattle's newspaper The Stranger, who encouraged readers to do so, writing, "Gay couples all across the country who would like to marry should get engaged and post their engagement in local newspapers, saying they plan to hold a ceremony 'as soon as it's legal.'"