When same-sex couples line up this week to apply for a marriage license, many observers from outside the District (and even within it) may see the historical event simply as a one-time legislative act spearheaded by a few progressive members of the D.C. Council. While there may be a kernel of truth to that, the history of the fight for marriage equality actually dates back to 1975, and proceeded incrementally, writes activist Rick Rosendall in a must-read analysis of the gay community’s biggest win in the District. “We did not just focus on passing the law; we laid the groundwork to sustain the victory,” he writes. Given how long the fight took and the multiple avenues taken to achieve victory, including the crucial 1977 passage of the Human Rights Act, it starts making sense why opponents led by Bishop Harry Jackson have so far failed to stop same-sex marriage from becoming a reality — they were simply outplayed.