RSSReferendum 71 -- Get past hatred and support families
For the Yakima Herald-Republic
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A vote to approve Referendum 71 is a vote to keep the domestic partnership law in place. This law provides legal protections for lesbian and gay couples and for heterosexual couples where one partner is age 62 or older. This law allows for older people to gain legal benefits without jeopardizing Social Security or other economic benefits that would be adversely affected by marriage.
Under the domestic partnership bill passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, registered couples are able to take unpaid leave to care for a critically ill loved one without being fired. Couples are able to cover a partner in family health insurance. It assures that pension and death benefits protect children if one parent dies. It allows for death benefits for the partners of gay and lesbian firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty.
Approving Referendum 71 ensures that important protections are not taken away from committed couples so that they are able to take care of each other, especially in times of crisis.
What truly confounds me is the hatred in the hearts of people who would gather signatures to overturn other people's long-sought-after civil rights. Many gay and lesbian people feel we are treated like objects, an issue, an agenda, something to galvanize the far right, the scapegoats of the last decade. We are not an issue. We are people and we take this level of attack personally.
As a minister, I find it very troubling that the anti-gay movement uses religion to support discrimination. Some churches have been leading the hatred. Did these churches forget that Jesus came for all people? Did these churches forget that there are over 39 different types of families and living situations in the Bible, of which heterosexual marriage is just one? Perhaps they forgot that many of Jesus' ancestors were in same-sex relationships? Do not use religion to justify your hatred. How can you love a God whom you have not seen when you hate your brothers and sisters whom you have seen?
I am thankful that the Washington Association of Churches approves of Referendum 71, as do a number of denominations.
Gay and lesbian people pay the same taxes; their families should be entitled to the same legal and financial protections, rights and responsibilities as any other family. Gay and lesbian couples have children. In Washington state, domestic partnerships are an important way for children of gay and lesbian couples to have the legal rights that children of married couples take for granted.
My partner, Debbie, and I have four children. We want to provide for and protect them, just like all parents do. We have had to spend a lot of money hiring attorneys to give our family the same legal protections that married couples have. With a domestic partnership, the expense of legal protection drops dramatically.
The far right seems to think that by not legally recognizing same-sex relationships, they do not exist. The truth is, legally recognized or not, love between two people is always a radical act. Love is always a blessing. Our relationships survive and it is our love for one another and our families that are our true strength.
When you vote to approve Referendum 71, you are supporting your neighbors, co-workers and vital members of your community.
Approving Referendum 71 will greatly benefit many families, both straight and gay, in Washington state, including mine. We must approve Referendum 71 to secure protections for all Washington families.
* The Rev. Jane Newall is founder of Yakima's Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church.
Jane - Hate is an over-used term today. In the world of "Political Correctness", hate has become a worse crime than murder among the liberal minded.
Just because many people don't condone the gay lifestyle, doesn't mean they "Hate" someone - they just don't approve.
Instead, I would suggest that far more couples would gain from the extension of "Domestic Partnerships" than would gays. My son is in a committed, heterosexual relationship, and they should be afforded the same rights in business matters as any "married" couple. Unfortunately, it has gotten to the point in today's world where "Marriage" is a little-respected institution, since about 60% of all "Married" couples are divorced - at least once anyway.
Also, in the case of older people who have raised up families, may be widowed or divorced, and want to live in a committed relationship with someone else for strictly financial reasons, they should be able to do so. After all, what is "marriage" anymore any way, but a business relationship?
Unfortunate, that, huh?
So, let's get this referendum approved so that same sex couples, who do not have the marriage option, can be afforded "some" of the same rights and responsibilities their straight counter parts are afforded. Remember, this is just a State law - it does not override another State's laws and does not provide any of the Federal rights and responsibilities that marriage does. This legislation can be ammended to include straight couples in the future, however, realize that you would not have any of the federal rights that marriage affords - unless you expand federal rights to all registered domestic partnerships, you would be setting up another discriminatory legal situation. Personally, I believe we are headed toward federal domestic partnership for all couples and marriages relegated to the churches.
Being told that you are an adomination and a perversion of nature feels like hate to me Nick. How would it feel to you?
Good luck Rev. Jane.
I hope you are successful. You have my vote. Live and let live. No judgement...just respect. If you are living your life the best you can while raising your children then you are to be commended and I hope there are more out there like you.
Those of you out there that believe you have the right to judge her lifestyle are dead wrong. If her lifestyle is "a danger to the sanctity of your marriage" my guess is that its not a solid one.
Do we not have a whole lot more to worry about than trying to keep basic rights from good citizens? No wonder this country is so divided. It makes me sad to know that there are so many people that refuse to learn from history about bigotry. Too bad. That level of hate and discrimination is a clear judgement on you...my hope is that you do not contaminate future generations with your false ideals.
Nick: "Just because many people don't condone the gay lifestyle, doesn't mean they "Hate" someone - they just don't approve."
I would argue that if you don't approve that you then go on about your business and avoid the situation of which you disapprove. But, when you choose to reach out to intentionally hurt that group of people both financially and by diminishing their legal standing - you are firmly in the world of hate now. Remember they have these rights granted by our elected representatives. So a vote to reject 71 does in fact attempt to hurt and diminish someone.
What Good Fortune It is For Governments That People Do Not Think
--Adolf Hitler
Rejecting Ref 71? Quoting Hitler? How telling!
Sorry just Bob, I took your quote out of context.
Report ViolationJane,
you are one lost Rev.
You might want to read the bible over and over.
Your missing alot!
I'll pray for You!
Ignore commonman Rev. Jane. He sounds more "klansman" than "commonman".
And it sounds like he needs to search his own soul. Don't worry about those who hate...they will always be in the shadows casting stones at things they don't understand or have in their own life.
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