My friend,
The issue is on the table in the state of Washington. Our state senate has created a bill to CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE...
1) I'm going to type just a small amount of the language of Section 2 below so you can get the idea of what is being rushed through legislature. Note that the sections being removed have a line drawn through them. Sections with new words are underlined. TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS because we are the 'grass roots' that will make the difference to the outcome. Don't assume others will fight this for you... it is WE THE PEOPLE that have to make the calls to Olympia: (360) 753-6780. Don't be afraid to make this call. The person on the other side of the phone is only taking a tally of citizens opinions. Their job is to pass your wish on to Governor Gregoire. Make the call after you read the paragraph I typed for you.
Sec 2 (1) "Marriage is a civil contract between ( (a male and a female) ) two persons who have attained the age of eighteen years, and who are otherwise capable." Sec 2 (2) "Every marriage entered into in which either ( (the husband or the wife) ) person has not attained the age of seventeen years is void.." Sec 2 (3) Where necessary to implement the rights and responsibilities of spouses under the law, gender specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law must be construed to be gender neutral and applicable to spouses of the same sex.
2) I have pasted the link to the entire bill. READ IT YOURSELF, it only takes 5 minutes, so you can see for yourself how some elected officials are attempting to pass this bill THIS session:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/6239.pdf
3) Look at what our elected officials are saying about us:
A Small and Dwindling Minority?
By Joseph Backholm, Executive Director
Yesterday, the prime sponsor of house legislation to redefine marriage, Rep. Jamie Pedersen, shared his feelings about why he feels it is good to redefine marriage as well as his perception of those who disagree with him on this issue.
In response to a constituent email, he said the following:
Thanks for your message. I strongly disagree with you on this issue and am the House prime sponsor of the bill that will provide marriage equality for same-sex couples. I can assure you that the legislation will provide strong protection for religious liberty. No priest or clergy person will be required to solemnize any marriage, and no religious organization may be compelled to permit its facilities to be used in connection with any marriage. But civil marriage is a legal construct of the Revised Code of Washington, and it is very much up to the legislature to define who can marry. I believe that our state has a strong interest in not discriminating against -- and harming -- the families of same-sex couples based on the religious views of a small and dwindling minority. (emphasis added).
All families in Washington are hurt by our current policy of treating some families as different and inferior. All families in Washington will be strengthened by making civil marriage available to couples regardless of their sexual orientation.
As a long-time advocate for redefining marriage, his perspective on the issue is precisely what one would expect. While he has his facts wrong on the issue of religious freedom, what is most striking about his comments is his description of those who disagree as a "small and dwindling minority."
Keep in mind, all 31 states that have voted on marriage have voted to define it as a relationship between a man and woman. So, to address a movement you have never defeated as a small and dwindling minority might be a bit brash.
Still, in Washington his efforts have faced little opposition.
The march toward redefining marriage has been deliberate and open. First "sexual orientation" was put into non-discrimination laws. Then domestic partner status was given to same-sex couples, then more rights were added to domestic partnerships, and then even more until domestic partnerships and marriages were legally indistinguishable in Washington State.
All the while, there was a deafening silence from those who knew better.
While we could point fingers and attempt to assess how we got this reputation, the more important question is whether our future actions are going to reinforce this impression or change it?
If you want to change it, do not write him a nasty email. He, like you, is entitled to his opinion and the courage of his conviction. He has simply decided he is willing to dedicate himself to a cause and take some heat in doing so. Do you care as much as he does?
If you do, or you think you should, there are some simple things you can do.
This Monday, January 23rd, there are two hearings on this bill at 10 am and 1:30 pm and a rally on the capitol steps in between. Be there. We need thousands of people to attend. The sheer number of people who attended similar hearings in Rhode Island and Maryland, states equally as liberal as Washington, were given much credit for the fact that marriage was not redefined in those states.
This is a historical opportunity involving an historical issue. Five years from now, I can guarantee you won't remember what happened at work on Monday, but you will remember taking a stand with your friends, family, and fellow citizens on behalf of marriage.
So be there. We need thousands of you with signs identifying yourself as part of the "small and dwindling minority."
For directions to the capitol and information about the nine parking lots in and around the capitol, click here.
After you have made your plans to attend, call your legislators at 1-800-562-6000 and share your thoughts on this issue.
You can also email your legislators by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Connie Jo
Keep pressing onward beyond your fear
Only the Father goes before you to your own frontier
You're a Pioneer
