You should know by now that the bigots are trying to deny me my rights as an adult who wants to get married to my (same-sex) spouse in WA. These jerks have ginned up an initiative, Prop 71, in Washington which would put to a vote rights which already have been granted by the state. There is NO QUESTION but that this is an attempt to threaten and harass gay people into staying in the closet. THAT is what the marriage debate is about! Now these people would like to be free to perpetuate their public political campaign of hatred and secret behind a veil of secrecy. I call Bullshit. More below the fold.
In today's Seattle Times, an article by Lornet Turnbull details how anti-gay backers of Prop 71 (you need to scroll a bit) would like their names hidden. How they can expect to be allowed to continue their campaign of hate in secret is beyond me. Gay people get attacked regularly, even here in liberal Seattle, and backers of Prop 71 are on the same side as the attackers (albeit too chickenshit to so out and throw a punch in person). Attacks on rights or on the physical person of GLBT people are an attempt to intimidate ALL day people into staying in the closet.
This is disgusting. Now we have Prop. 71, which (keep your fingers crossed) is struggling to get enough signatures to make it to the ballot. But if it does, here's what will happen:
Same-sex couples, or any couple that includes one person age sixty-two or older, may register as a domestic partnership with the state. Registered domestic partnerships are not marriages, and marriage is prohibited except between one man and one woman. This bill would expand the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of registered domestic partners and their families to include all rights, responsibilities, and obligations granted by or imposed by state law on married couples and their families.
. Sound good? Well, if it passes, then it IS good. But here's the deal: the rights described are already law, and if the initiative a) gets on the ballot, and b) fails, then those rights will be retroactively repealed.
It is a disgusting and deceptive move by the bigots to make an initiative that we must get passed.. You see, they are already hiding. Initiatives are hard to pass. When people get confused, they vote "no".
Here is my letter to the Editor of the Seattle Times
What comes around goes around. Isn’t it ironic, as reported by Lornet Turnbull ("Ref. 71 backers ask state to seal names of campaign donors due to threats"), that the proponents of Prop 71, who are attempting to harass and threaten GLBT people by denying us our constitutional rights, are now upset about being intimidated themselves? They are both cowardly and hypocritical, thus proving themselves to be the weak-kneed bigots that they are (justly) called.
Supporters of controversial causes who are on the side of justice, freedom, and equality have no desire to hide, despite real threats. These brave souls have been on the front lines of promoting the human values of tolerance and freedom, and many gave their lives for these causes, and we should never forget their sacrifices. However, those who side with the bigots always choose deception and secrecy. Perhaps the aforementioned "Ref 71 backers" should also dawn white hoods.
By the way, for those who support marriage and domestic partnership equality for all, the correct vote is YES for prop. 71.
Michael Jacobs, Seattle WA.