Vote-by-mail ballots are on their way out for the upcoming election in Washington. It’s time to look at some of the issues to be decided. Again, we are looking mostly at issues that have clear choices.

In the latest legislative session, the Washington Legislature decided correctly to expand the rights of domestic partners in the state to match those of married couples.  Domestic partners are same-sex couples who, by law, are not permitted the same right to marry as other state residents, and opposite-sex couples, where at least one is over age 62, for whom it would be a legal burden to get married.  Senate Bill 5688 extended these rights to all by adding the following paragraph to a wide range of statutory provisions:

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement this act, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.

This referendum attempts to keep the measure from taking affect.  A number of conservative Christian groups are making their usual move to restrict the rights of those citizens who do not share their ideas on what constitutes a family.  While I have always respected their right to live their own lives as they wish, it is difficult to condone their blatant discrimination against those who do not share their own practice.  All of our citizens should have the same rights to marry whomever they love, to love together as a family, and to have the same rights as any other family.

It is very reasonable to allow every consenting adult to marry any other consenting adult that they wish.  If we do not allow them to marry, then it is necessary to allow those who register a willingness to commit to one another to have the same rights as a married couple.

There is one important concept here:  It is an acceptable to allow certain rights to married couples.  However, if we do not allow some couples to marry, we must have a mechanism in place to allow them the same rights as anyone else.

I am tired of seeing this blatant discrimination against some of our citizens allowed to continue.  The legislature took the first step to correct this situation.  Those who want to continue this discrimination against some of our own citizens have brought forth this referendum to try to block it from taking affect.  Preserve equal rights for all of out fellow citizens.  Approve Referendum 71 on your ballot.

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