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The Spokesman’s first gay marriage announcement

Today, the S-R published it's first gay marriage announcment. (The couple was married in California.)

On his blog, editor Steve Smith discusses an example of feedback he received:

While I recognize their marriage was legalized in California, same sex marriage is not legal in the state of Washington. Thus, I feel the Spokesman Review has done a grave disservice to their readers/subscribers by placing a picture of something not legal in the celebratory section of the paper. It is one thing to place illegal behavior on the front page when reporting criminal activity. It is quite another to place it in a place of celebration. I highly doubt the Spokesman would place a picture of a minor drinking alcohol in this section. I find this picture similar in legality respects. As a long time subscriber I enjoy the TODAY section for it's celebratory nature, it's local flavor, and it's cultural involvement. This put a damper on that enjoyment.

QUESTION: What do you think? Should the S-R not publish gay marriage announcements?

In 2006, then-editor Steve Smith of The Spokesman-Review had the idea of starting a publication for an often forgotten audience: teenagers. The Vox Box was a continuation of the Vox, an all-student staffed newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review. High school student journalists who staffed the Vox made all content decisions as they learn about the trade of journalism. This blog's mission was to give students an opportunity to publish their voices. The Vox Box and the Vox wrapped up in June 2009, but you can follow former staffers' new blog at http://voxxiez.blogspot.com.