The bells of democracy rang out loud and clear the night of Feb. 14, when the Burton Community Church joined with the Vashon Unitarian Fellowship to celebrate same-sex marriage. The minister of each church stood side by side to perform the ceremonies in front of a sanctuary full of islanders clapping and smiling.

It was a night of real community — shared building, shared podium, shared resolve of justice, freedom and equality.

— Dorothy Hall-Bauer