Seattle Times: Opinion: Marriage still matters to Washington's children
October 25, 2004
IT is the birthright of every child to be raised by their mother and father. To redefine marriage is to rob children of that birthright.
Yet, a small group of activist lawyers and judges is putting marriage under siege in the state of Washington. While gays, lesbians and most Americans seek an end to bigotry and hatred, something different is at stake here. The full-court press to legally redefine marriage carries societal implications that are vast and damaging to children and future generations.
We are linking arms as Allies for Marriage and Children to appeal to the vast numbers of Washingtonians troubled by the redefinition of marriage, as well as the decades-long decay of marriage and absence of a common-sense voice defending it. We will work with the state Legislature to find a constitutional solution to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Yet, a small group of activist lawyers and judges is putting marriage under siege in the state of Washington. While gays, lesbians and most Americans seek an end to bigotry and hatred, something different is at stake here. The full-court press to legally redefine marriage carries societal implications that are vast and damaging to children and future generations.
We are linking arms as Allies for Marriage and Children to appeal to the vast numbers of Washingtonians troubled by the redefinition of marriage, as well as the decades-long decay of marriage and absence of a common-sense voice defending it. We will work with the state Legislature to find a constitutional solution to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Olympian: Opponents of same-sex marriage rally
October 15, 2004
A rally on the Capitol Campus on Friday had one message: A marriage has always been and should always be one man and one woman.
"If you don't draw a line now, things are going to be blurred beyond gray," said Megan Pereyra, 20, of Olympia.
Same-sex marriages, a possibility raised by two Washington court decisions striking a 1998 state law banning them, would confuse children and lead to polygamy and group marriage, Pereyra said.
"We have enough children in broken homes," she said. "Children need a mother and a father."
"If you don't draw a line now, things are going to be blurred beyond gray," said Megan Pereyra, 20, of Olympia.
Same-sex marriages, a possibility raised by two Washington court decisions striking a 1998 state law banning them, would confuse children and lead to polygamy and group marriage, Pereyra said.
"We have enough children in broken homes," she said. "Children need a mother and a father."
Seattle P-I: Pastor takes anti-gay-marriage message to nation's capital
October 13, 2004
More than 100,000 Christians are expected to flood the National Mall tomorrow to uphold marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and to remind politicians of their power at the polls.
The massive gathering in Washington, D.C., was conceived by the Rev. Ken Hutcherson of Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, who organized the Mayday for Marriage rally at Safeco Field on May 1.
With support from a number of national Christian ministries, including Focus on the Family, Hutcherson led the planning of tomorrow's event, also called Mayday for Marriage.
The massive gathering in Washington, D.C., was conceived by the Rev. Ken Hutcherson of Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, who organized the Mayday for Marriage rally at Safeco Field on May 1.
With support from a number of national Christian ministries, including Focus on the Family, Hutcherson led the planning of tomorrow's event, also called Mayday for Marriage.
Seattle Times: Clerics step up debate on gay rights
October 8, 2004
Local religious leaders on both sides of the gay-marriage debate are stepping up their efforts to get their messages heard.
More than 200 religious leaders of varying faiths, but predominantly Christian and Jewish, have formed Religious Coalition for Equality to advocate for same-sex marriage and civil rights.
"The rights of gay couples — someone needs to stand up for that from a religious point of view," said Stephen Jones, coordinating pastor at Seattle First Baptist Church and coalition co-chair. Opposition to gay marriage has come in large part from conservative Christian groups, Jones said, but "we knew there were many, many clergy [locally] that were on the other side. We need to have our voice heard."
More than 200 religious leaders of varying faiths, but predominantly Christian and Jewish, have formed Religious Coalition for Equality to advocate for same-sex marriage and civil rights.
"The rights of gay couples — someone needs to stand up for that from a religious point of view," said Stephen Jones, coordinating pastor at Seattle First Baptist Church and coalition co-chair. Opposition to gay marriage has come in large part from conservative Christian groups, Jones said, but "we knew there were many, many clergy [locally] that were on the other side. We need to have our voice heard."
