State's Marriage Proposal Hits Home in Arlington

"Truth and not myth must be the foundation of education," Nugent said, acknowledging that not everyone in the congregation was comfortable with same-sex marriage. "It is up to us to make the decision to stand on the side of love . . . not just for some but for all who choose to share their lives."

Afterward, about 60 gay, straight, bisexual and transgendered couples reaffirmed their commitments in a ceremony outside the church.

The couples waited beneath rainbow flags and a banner that read, "Marriage is a civil right." Neither existing law nor an impending ban could keep them from embracing and beaming and saying "I will" when asked if they would always care and love and respect each other.

Later, Fisette, a longtime member of the church, said that to be gay in 2006 is to be political. "This is not our choice, it's been thrust upon us," he said.

Simply shopping together for groceries or going to a PTA meeting have "become conscious acts. To some, they are acts of civil disobedience," he said. "We're seen as flaunting our love, as making a statement. We yearn for the day when these everyday gestures are not viewed as statements or threatening to someone else, but we are not there yet."

Fisette remains optimistic that things will change one day. Should all the rights afforded heterosexuals eventually be granted to gays, he, too, will take the plunge.

"In 30 or 40 years or however long it takes, the right thing will happen and history will put all of this in perspective and judge the mistakes of these elected officials in the General Assembly," he said.

Staff writer Chris L. Jenkins contributed to this report.