Seattle Times: When a spouse comes out, support groups can help with pain, confusi
September 30, 2004
One by one, around the room, they told their stories of abandoned love and broken promises.
Donna Nolan talked about her 26-year marriage to her college sweetheart and best friend.
For years, she said, her husband had sought answers to the yearnings that filled his life — for a new job, a new house, a child — only four years ago coming to terms with his sexuality and confessing to her that he was gay...
The fight for gay rights is not theirs, and on this night, there's not a single mention of gay marriage. Yet, they believe they are a casualty of laws that restrict marriage to a man and a woman. Unable to legally wed one another, they say, gays seeking commitment and family will continue to set up doomed heterosexual marriages, ruining lives and destroying families.
Donna Nolan talked about her 26-year marriage to her college sweetheart and best friend.
For years, she said, her husband had sought answers to the yearnings that filled his life — for a new job, a new house, a child — only four years ago coming to terms with his sexuality and confessing to her that he was gay...
The fight for gay rights is not theirs, and on this night, there's not a single mention of gay marriage. Yet, they believe they are a casualty of laws that restrict marriage to a man and a woman. Unable to legally wed one another, they say, gays seeking commitment and family will continue to set up doomed heterosexual marriages, ruining lives and destroying families.
The Columbian: Same-sex marriage opposed by slight majority, poll finds
September 27, 2004
A slight majority of Washington voters oppose gay marriage, according to a poll conducted for The Columbian and three other newspapers.
Pollsters asked: "Do you support or oppose gay marriage?" Some 50 percent said they were opposed, while 43 percent they supported same-sex marriages. Seven percent were undecided.
The poll, based on phone interviews with 406 registered voters Sept. 17-20, has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
The closeness of the poll suggests that gays are gaining acceptance, said Vancouver Democrat Jim Moeller, one of four openly gay state House members.
Pollsters asked: "Do you support or oppose gay marriage?" Some 50 percent said they were opposed, while 43 percent they supported same-sex marriages. Seven percent were undecided.
The poll, based on phone interviews with 406 registered voters Sept. 17-20, has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
The closeness of the poll suggests that gays are gaining acceptance, said Vancouver Democrat Jim Moeller, one of four openly gay state House members.
Tacoma News Tribune: Gay marriage foes demand ban
September 22, 2004
A group of religious leaders and advocates for traditional family values called upon the Washington Legislature on Tuesday to pass a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
However, it would take a two-thirds vote by both the House and the Senate just to get such a proposal on the ballot, a threshold that appears unreachable given the makeup of the Legislature.
Democrats hold a 52-46 majority in the House and would block any such effort, said Reps. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) and Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines), two of four openly gay men in the House.
However, it would take a two-thirds vote by both the House and the Senate just to get such a proposal on the ballot, a threshold that appears unreachable given the makeup of the Legislature.
Democrats hold a 52-46 majority in the House and would block any such effort, said Reps. Ed Murray (D-Seattle) and Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines), two of four openly gay men in the House.
Olympian: New group targets gay marriage
Hoping to end the possibility of legalizing same-sex marriages in Washington, Jeff Kemp joined conservative social and religious leaders Tuesday to announce formation of a group dedicated to amending the state constitution.
"We're going to be campaigning and letting people know the long-term implications of changing marriage," Kemp said.
Same-sex marriage would be damaging to children, who should grow up with their biological parents, said Kemp, a former Seattle Seahawks player, and other members of the newly formed Allies for Marriage and Children.
"It's what works. I can't think of a society that's based on anything else that hasn't fallen apart," said Dianna Brannan of Kent, who brought her children to the event.
"We're going to be campaigning and letting people know the long-term implications of changing marriage," Kemp said.
Same-sex marriage would be damaging to children, who should grow up with their biological parents, said Kemp, a former Seattle Seahawks player, and other members of the newly formed Allies for Marriage and Children.
"It's what works. I can't think of a society that's based on anything else that hasn't fallen apart," said Dianna Brannan of Kent, who brought her children to the event.
P-I (AP Wire): Gay marriage foes will seek state constitutional ban
September 21, 2004
Foes of same-sex marriage on Tuesday announced a drive to add a ban to the state constitution.
The newly formed Allies for Marriage and Children, which includes social conservatives, community activists and some religious leaders, said it is responding to two recent court rulings that invalidated the state's Defense of Marriage Act.
That law, passed in 1998 by the Legislature after overriding Gov. Gary Locke's veto, defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Many states have passed similar laws and state constitutional amendments and President Bush and some congressional allies have suggested an amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning gay marriage.
The rulings from King and Thurston county judges are on appeal to the state Supreme Court. A state constitutional amendment must originate in the Legislature, with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, followed by a statewide public vote.
Equal Rights Washington, a group advocating equal treatment for gays, said marriage is "a pro-family ideal" that should be available to all. Children need a safe and loving environment created by nurturing parents, regardless of the couple's gender, the group said.
The newly formed Allies for Marriage and Children, which includes social conservatives, community activists and some religious leaders, said it is responding to two recent court rulings that invalidated the state's Defense of Marriage Act.
That law, passed in 1998 by the Legislature after overriding Gov. Gary Locke's veto, defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Many states have passed similar laws and state constitutional amendments and President Bush and some congressional allies have suggested an amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning gay marriage.
The rulings from King and Thurston county judges are on appeal to the state Supreme Court. A state constitutional amendment must originate in the Legislature, with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, followed by a statewide public vote.
Equal Rights Washington, a group advocating equal treatment for gays, said marriage is "a pro-family ideal" that should be available to all. Children need a safe and loving environment created by nurturing parents, regardless of the couple's gender, the group said.
KOMO TV: Amendment Proposed To Define Marriage
Opponents of gay marriage are rolling out a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages. They fear the state Supreme Court could soon pave the way for gay weddings.
The group calls themselves "Allies for Marriage and Children" saying marriage must be defined in the constitution as the union between a man and a woman.
They say gay marriages are destructive and confusing to children.
"Does a man become a woman and does a woman become a man? What does it mean now?" asks Wheeler. "That confusion we do not need to pollute the minds of this next generation."
The group calls themselves "Allies for Marriage and Children" saying marriage must be defined in the constitution as the union between a man and a woman.
They say gay marriages are destructive and confusing to children.
"Does a man become a woman and does a woman become a man? What does it mean now?" asks Wheeler. "That confusion we do not need to pollute the minds of this next generation."
P-I: In The Northwest: Seattle is an island in its respect for gay rights
September 20, 2004
As 1,100 supporters of America's largest gay and lesbian advocacy group gathered Saturday night at the Westin Hotel Seattle, the dress was elegant and the jokes were by Lily Tomlin. But the talk was of battle, with the November election treated as a pivotal event.
"Our lives are on the line as never before," said Marty Lieberman of Seattle, vice chairman of the Human Rights Campaign board.
As Lieberman spoke, Louisiana voted overwhelmingly to amend its state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.
"Our lives are on the line as never before," said Marty Lieberman of Seattle, vice chairman of the Human Rights Campaign board.
As Lieberman spoke, Louisiana voted overwhelmingly to amend its state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.
Seattle Weekly: Gay Marriage Battleground
September 15, 2004
Washington will be the next big battleground for gay marriage.
It was here and gone, one day's newspaper headline, but last week's Thurston County Superior Court ruling in Olympia—that the state's badly misnamed Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional—virtually guarantees that the question of gay marriage will go to the state Supreme Court.
When it does, expect fireworks. Washington state's constitution is among the most stringent in the country when it comes to protecting the rights of the individual.
It was here and gone, one day's newspaper headline, but last week's Thurston County Superior Court ruling in Olympia—that the state's badly misnamed Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional—virtually guarantees that the question of gay marriage will go to the state Supreme Court.
When it does, expect fireworks. Washington state's constitution is among the most stringent in the country when it comes to protecting the rights of the individual.
Columbian: Gay-marriage opponent to speak
September 12, 2004
Former football-star-turned-traditional-values advocate Jeff Kemp will be the featured speaker Tuesday at the Mayor's Annual Prayer Breakfast.
Kemp spent more than a decade in the NFL and now heads Families Northwest, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting traditional marriage and families. The main goal is the healthiest possible setting for children, he said. That starts with strong marriages.
"Children deserve moms and dads," Kemp said in a phone interview from his Bellevue office Friday.
Kemp spent more than a decade in the NFL and now heads Families Northwest, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting traditional marriage and families. The main goal is the healthiest possible setting for children, he said. That starts with strong marriages.
"Children deserve moms and dads," Kemp said in a phone interview from his Bellevue office Friday.
The Columbian: Legislative action considered likely
September 8, 2004
Even though two Clark County legislators fall on opposite sides of the issue, both Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, and Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, believe lawmakers will act against any ruling that allows gays and lesbians to marry.
That won't be necessary unless the state Supreme Court agrees with Tuesday's ruling by a Thurston County judge that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. "We can take action from there in the Legislature," said Zarelli, who voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1998 that made same-sex marriage illegal.
That's the same law judges have overturned, ruling it contradicts the state constitution.
That won't be necessary unless the state Supreme Court agrees with Tuesday's ruling by a Thurston County judge that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. "We can take action from there in the Legislature," said Zarelli, who voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1998 that made same-sex marriage illegal.
That's the same law judges have overturned, ruling it contradicts the state constitution.
King County Journal: Second judge strikes down the state's ban on same-sex marriage
Washington's ban on same-sex marriage was struck down by a second judge Tuesday, with both sides now readying for a showdown before the state Supreme Court.
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks held that Washington's constitution offers broad guarantees of equality, and that marriage is a fundamental right that must be available to gay men and lesbians.
The ruling drew outrage from gay marriage opponent Joseph Fuiten, pastor of Bothell's Cedar Park Church.
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks held that Washington's constitution offers broad guarantees of equality, and that marriage is a fundamental right that must be available to gay men and lesbians.
The ruling drew outrage from gay marriage opponent Joseph Fuiten, pastor of Bothell's Cedar Park Church.
Seattle Times: Second judge strikes down Washington's gay-marriage ban
September 7, 2004
OLYMPIA — Washington's ban on same-sex marriage was struck down by a second judge today, with both sides now readying for a showdown before the state Supreme Court.
One critic said the latest ruling all but guarantees a drive to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage.
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks held that Washington's constitution offers broad guarantees of equality, and that marriage is a fundamental right that must be available to gay men and lesbians.
One critic said the latest ruling all but guarantees a drive to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage.
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks held that Washington's constitution offers broad guarantees of equality, and that marriage is a fundamental right that must be available to gay men and lesbians.
P-I: Ban on same-sex marriages struck down -- again
Same-sex couples won a second victory today when a Thurston County judge ruled
that the state's ban on letting them marry is unconstitutional.
Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks said he would not decide, however, whether
the Legislature could choose to create "different kinds of domestic unions or
partnerships" called something other than marriage, as a state attorney had
requested.
Hicks ruled that the state cannot give a privilege such as marriage to one group
of people and not to others without good reason for the discrimination.
that the state's ban on letting them marry is unconstitutional.
Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks said he would not decide, however, whether
the Legislature could choose to create "different kinds of domestic unions or
partnerships" called something other than marriage, as a state attorney had
requested.
Hicks ruled that the state cannot give a privilege such as marriage to one group
of people and not to others without good reason for the discrimination.
The Olympian: Judge to rule on gay marriage
September 3, 2004
OLYMPIA -- A Thurston County judge promised Thursday to issue a ruling within the next week on whether the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.
Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks heard legal arguments on the lawsuit challenging Washington's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and woman.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 11 gay Washington couples, who filled the judge's courtroom. It is the second legal challenge of the law filed after Massachusetts began allowing same-sex marriage licenses earlier this year.
[click the headline to read the entire article]
Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks heard legal arguments on the lawsuit challenging Washington's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and woman.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 11 gay Washington couples, who filled the judge's courtroom. It is the second legal challenge of the law filed after Massachusetts began allowing same-sex marriage licenses earlier this year.
[click the headline to read the entire article]
P-I: State's marriage law back in court
OLYMPIA -- Same-sex couples are now hoping a Thurston County judge will strike
down a state law that bars them from getting married, a move that would give
them a second victory to take to the state Supreme Court.
But a state attorney argued yesterday that gay and lesbian couples, even if they
are given the same legal benefits of married people, don't have a constitutional
right to call their relationships marriages.
Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks plans to decide next week, possibly as soon
as Tuesday, whether Washington's 1998 ban on same-sex marriages is
constitutional.
[click on headline to read entire article]
down a state law that bars them from getting married, a move that would give
them a second victory to take to the state Supreme Court.
But a state attorney argued yesterday that gay and lesbian couples, even if they
are given the same legal benefits of married people, don't have a constitutional
right to call their relationships marriages.
Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks plans to decide next week, possibly as soon
as Tuesday, whether Washington's 1998 ban on same-sex marriages is
constitutional.
[click on headline to read entire article]
Seattle Times: Recognizing gay marriages may be left to Legislature
OLYMPIA — In defending Washington's ban on gay marriage before a judge here
yesterday, the state appeared to concede that same-sex couples may be owed some
kind of legal recognition.
Assistant Attorney General William Collins, arguing before Thurston County
Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks, suggested that the court might uphold the
ban, but the Legislature could consider allowing same-sex civil unions.
[click on headline to read full article]
yesterday, the state appeared to concede that same-sex couples may be owed some
kind of legal recognition.
Assistant Attorney General William Collins, arguing before Thurston County
Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks, suggested that the court might uphold the
ban, but the Legislature could consider allowing same-sex civil unions.
[click on headline to read full article]
