Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyMay 5th, 2009
Last week the Washington State legislature passed a bill providing Domestic Partnerships with all the rights, priveleges, and obligations of marriage. Now, per the Seattle Post-Intelligencer,
Referendum 71 was filed by Monday Larry Stickney, president of the Washington Values Alliance. Supporters need to get more than 120,500 valid voter signatures by July 25 in order to qualify for the Nov. 3 ballot.
A “yes” vote on the referendum would be to sustain the measure; a “no” vote would overturn the law.
The filing will temporarily suspend the new legislation, which was to take effect July 25 . Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign the bill soon.
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Chad
May 5th, 2009
As if we needed it, here’s yet more proof that this isn’t about “protecting the definition of marriage” but about denying any and all social and legal respectability to gay people.
Evelyn Field
May 5th, 2009
Please vot NO on same sex marriage! Being a Christian, we need to deny this..
David C.
May 5th, 2009
Why, exactly, Evelyn?
Jess
May 5th, 2009
Evelyn, I pitty you that a) you have nothing better to do than read a blog that is intended for people you hate and b.) that you take the time to read the post, but your only response is “please vote no”
Please be advised that the readers of this blog would need a much more compelling argument than the plea you offer.
Advice: either take some time to compile an argument or don’t comment at all.
AJD
May 5th, 2009
I just hope the people in Washington are ready for a fight and not just assuming they’ll win this one…
Nick Literski
May 5th, 2009
Not content with their damage to Californians’ civil rights, it’s the Mormons who are now gearing up against gay and lesbian families in Washington State.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009173928_gayreferendum05m.html
Money quote:
“The referendum’s backers — a network of Catholic, Protestant and Mormon organizations with some 100,000 constituents — have until July 25 to gather the 120,500 signatures necessary to qualify the measure for the November ballot. However, they can’t begin collecting signatures until the governor has signed the bill into law, which should happen within two weeks.”
REMEMBER, when the Mormons were backing Proposition 8, their leaders claimed they had no problem with the previously-existing California domestic partner laws, which were similar to Washington State’s about-to-be-enacted “everything but marriage” domestic partner expansion. NOW, the Mormons are trying to repeal THOSE rights in Washington State. These people are LIARS, who will make virtually ANY statement to sound good in the media, but then VIOLATE THEIR OWN WORDS when the rubber meets the road!
Tommy
May 5th, 2009
Evelyn, why on Earth should YOUR private religion dictate the actions of OUR public government?
David C.
May 5th, 2009
Certainly a good heads-up to which I would add the need to get ahead of this planned initiative by working first to make the signature gathering phase a challenge for its proponents.
Start by making certain that all legal requirements for signature gathering are fortified by careful monitoring of the process, such as ensuring that paid signature gatherers are not illegally used. Start educating voters early and alert them to the damaging effects the measure poses to freedom and civil rights while urging them to reject signing petitions to place the initiative on the ballot.
By now, just about everybody on the side of SSM or a work-alike should have learned the painful lessons of Prop. 8 in California, including the shady tactics employed to get the measure on the ballot in the first place. It’s essential to hit the ground running the minute petitions start to circulate and be ready with the information voters need to decide against putting such a measure on the ballot. Start building a war chest immediately, don’t count on any national organization to take the lead or come in with a grant.
If the measure ultimately makes it to ballot, voter education groundwork done while the opposition was qualifying the measure for the ballot will pay dividends and make it easier to formulate and maintain the right message to oppose the initiative.
Start recruiting allies immediately. Absolutely do not under any circumstances marginalize or exclude faith communities. Appeal to moderate religious leaders to speak against any attempt to take away the rights of same-sex couples and families.
Find supporters in other minority communities and get their leaders to speak out against the measure.
Finally, come out of the closet. Let the faces of gay families be seen and their stories be told. Expose all the opposition’s lies as soon as they emerge. Be ready with the facts and tell the truth fearlessly. Never assume that “it’s in the bag” until all the votes are counted and the election certified.
staci
May 6th, 2009
Evelyn, this is not same sex marriage. It is domestic partnership.
This is what really upsets me. The christians start carrying on about how we can’t change the definition of marriage and yet when we try to get domestic partnerships or civil unions they still throw a hissy and try to deny us that as well!!! We just can’t win on this.
Brian Torwelle
May 6th, 2009
I don’t think it’s fair to lump all Christians into the same category. I’m sure many of them would be quite content with a compromise that isn’t called marriage.
Of, course there are many other people that do not want any legal recognition of same sex unions, but they don’t necessarily have to be Christians.
David C.
May 6th, 2009
As an interesting aside, see The Seattle Times article Debate about gay equality appears to be ending. Perhaps there is not going to be much motivation on the part of the RR in Washington state to take on yet another anti-SSM or anti-domestic partners campaign.
Piper
May 6th, 2009
There are also Christians who are all for Marriage equality, and are sick and tired of having the conservative Christians try and claim the Christian banner for their intolerance!
Ephilei
May 6th, 2009
Please vot YES on same sex marriage! Being a Christian, we need to encourage this.. (That’s simultaneously sarcastic and sincere.)
120 thousand is 2.5% of every voter in the state! That’s a big task!
sammyseattle
May 6th, 2009
Evelyn, do not presume to speak on behalf of Christians at large, there are plenty who do not hold your myopic view of the world.
Christopherâ„¢
May 6th, 2009
Don’t be too hard on Evelyn. It’s probably her first time out on the internets, and upon stumbling across this thing called a “blog,” she was so excited that she could “stand up for righteousness” and see her post magically appear instantly… both at the same time!
I’m sure she and her husband are enjoying a nice all-inclusive dinner at Sizzler, and will go to bed later tonight knowing she did her good deed for the day.
staci
May 7th, 2009
I apologize for lumping all christians together. To clarify, I should have said fanatic christians.
WA
May 18th, 2009
Just want to say- it is legal in WA for transgendered people to work as doctors and fool unsuspecting patients by changing their name and otherwise hiding their past. People have lost their right to choose who provides them personal health care. Is this issue similar or different and why? And what happens when someone is abused by a transgender physician and only finds this out when they go to make a complaint?
I think people need to expand their thinking a little to all the consequences of making popular and accepting these issues into all aspects of our society. For myself, being a person who respects a democratic society, I will always support the laws of the majority. Which is more then I can say for those who can only think of themselves.
WA
May 18th, 2009
Also- to work to prevent an issue from making it to the voters is disgusting and spits in the face of the values of our country.
Scott P.
May 19th, 2009
WA,
I have to ask… what difference does it make if a physician is transgendered? That’s a straw man argument. Any physician who abuses a patient would be subject to both criminal and civil action. Your point is unclear.
Further, we don’t live in a democracy. We live in a representative republic, with a court system that is designed to insure that the rights of a minority are not trampled by a majority. It’s called a “checks and balance” system. It used to be considered a pretty good way of doing things, not letting mob rule guide the country.
And could you please enlighten us what national values you’re referring to? I have a pretty good idea, but, please, clearly state them.
And who is being selfish? Those who want marriage limited to only those they deem worthy (which always comes down to a religious argument) or those who think all loving couples should have the legal ability to be recognized by the state and enjoy the rights and responsibilities of caring for another person?
Jason D
May 19th, 2009
“WA said
Just want to say- it is legal in WA for transgendered people to work as doctors and fool unsuspecting patients by changing their name and otherwise hiding their past.”
First, what business is it of yours what sex your doctor was in the past? This isn’t about “fooling” patients, this is about how people live as they want to live. If a doctor converts to judaism, do his patients deserve to know what faith he used to be? How is a doctor’s private, legal, life any of your or anyone else’s business?
“People have lost their right to choose who provides them personal health care.”
On this site, you have to cite. Show us where this has happened. Hyperbole, exaggeration, and imagination are not substitutes for facts.
“Is this issue similar or different and why? And what happens when someone is abused by a transgender physician and only finds this out when they go to make a complaint?”
Again, what difference does it make if the abusive doctor is male, female, used to be male, or used to be female? The abuse is the same regardless. Unethical behavior is unethical regardless of who commits it.
“I think people need to expand their thinking a little to all the consequences of making popular and accepting these issues into all aspects of our society.”
This comment applies more to yourself than anyone else.
“For myself, being a person who respects a democratic society, I will always support the laws of the majority.”
You support mob mentality, and groupthink, neither one of which is democratic. What will you do when the tide turns and the majority agrees with civil rights? Regardless, we don’t live in a democracy, we live in a representative republic. Do you know nothing about the country you live in?
” Which is more then I can say for those who can only think of themselves.”
You are the one thinking ONLY of yourself. You think YOU have the right to know someone’s personal medical history that is completely irrelevant to their job.
Priya Lynn
May 19th, 2009
Nicely said, Jason and Scott.
Bill Ostrander, Jr.
July 21st, 2009
I’d sign this petition in a heartbeat! Is there a website I can go to to sign up online and add my name?
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