Senate Bill 5688 and House Bill 1727 confer all the rights of marriage to domestic partnerships, stopping only at giving them the actual recognition of “marriage,” but proponents are adamant that will be the next step.

5688 has already passed the Senate and is moving right along. April 6 will be the final public hearing. Please contact our representatives Quall and Morris (quall.dave@leg.wa.gov, Morris.Jeff@leg.wa.gov); your legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000; and Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, (360-786-7920, chopp.frank@leg@wa.gov) right away, asking them to stand strong for marriage and to oppose these bills.

Though it is an emotionally charged issue, don’t be fooled by political rhetoric. Opposing these bills is not about homophobia or hate. We can genuinely care about people without demanding all of society shape to their particular bent. There are many reasons from moral to fiscal that these bills would be damaging, but bottom line, this is about protecting an institution that is the cornerstone of every strong society.

It is not even a religious issue, but a practical one – when there is compromise of traditional marriage, it has a negative effect on ALL of society. If we are wise, we are supposed to learn from history, not repeat it.

Individuals can enter into just about any kind of relationship they would like, but there are many relationships, not just same-sex or domestic partners, that aren’t considered as marriage – it is not a civil right. Traditional marriage receives benefits because it is advantageous to all of society; other relationships that want the same recognition do not.

For more information, visit Washington Values Alliance, Citizenlink.org, Family Policy Institute of Washington or Faith and Freedom Network. Thank you for making a difference and for being a voice for what is right.

Brian and Michelle Lambright
Kirk and Koshi Holt
San Juan Island