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Is banning gay's rights to marry wrong?

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  • #21
    What does love got to do with it?

    ACLU Urges Washington Supreme Court To Uphold Marriage Equality

    March 8, 2005

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Contact: [email protected]

    OLYMPIA, WA -- In a case filed on behalf of 11 couples across the state who wish to marry in Washington or to now have their marriage recognized under Washington law (Castle v. State), the American Civil Liberties Union appeared before the Washington Supreme Court today to urge the court to uphold marriage equality for same-sex couples. Plaintiffs include a police officer, a firefighter, a banker, a nurse, a retired judge, a college professor, a business executive, and others. They reside in communities from Seattle to Spokane and from Port Townsend to Hoquiam.

    "Same-sex couples make the same kinds to commitments to each other as different-sex couples and need the many protections for their families that marriage provides," said Kathleen Taylor, Executive Director of the ACLU of Washington. "This case is about basic fairness for all families."

    The state is appealing the ruling in September 2004 by Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks that legal barriers to marriage for same-sex couples violate the state constitution’s guarantee of equal treatment for all citizens. The government cannot give the legal benefits of marriage to one group of adult citizens but not to another, the court found.

    In his ruling, Judge Hicks rebuffed arguments that same-sex marriage destabilizes the family, noting that same-sex couples have already been found to serve as capable foster and adoptive parents. He pointed out that granting marriage equality to same-sex couples strengthens the community, saying, "Our fundamental principle is that we share the freedom to live with and respect each other and share the same privileges or immunities. We need each other."

    The case has been combined for purposes of the hearing with a lawsuit filed by eight same-sex couples who sued King County for refusing to give them marriage licenses (Anderson v. King County). In that case, King County Superior Court Judge William Downing ruled in April 2004 that Washington’s law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples violates the state constitution.

    Current state laws provide hundreds of benefits to married couples that are not available to same-sex couples. Among these are community property rights; access to family court; joint assessment of income and needs for determination of state assistance programs; access during health care emergencies and the ability to participate in health care decisions; survivor benefits; and authority to make decisions regarding funeral arrangements.

    Working for the ACLU on the case are Paul Lawrence, Matthew Segal, and Amit Ranade of the law firm Preston Gates & Ellis; Karolyn Hicks of the firm Stokes Lawrence; Roger Leishman of the firm Davis Wright Tremaine; and ACLU of Washington staff attorney Aaron Caplan. Representing the eight King County couples are the Northwest Women’s Law Center and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.

    The ACLU has long worked to secure equal treatment under the law for all citizens. In 1971, the ACLU of Washington represented John Singer and Paul Barwick when they sought to obtain a marriage license in Washington. Unfortunately, the state court of appeals sided with the state, ruling that marriage is the "appropriate and desirable forum for procreation and the rearing of children" and therefore not applicable to gays and lesbians. Judge Hicks, however, said that "the community, and its values, has substantially changed from the times of Singer" and that the Singer case "cries out for reexamination."

    The couples represented by the ACLU include:

    Brenda Bauer and Celia Castle of Seattle
    : Brenda is an attorney and Director of the Fleets and Facilities Department for the City of Seattle. Celia has been a firefighter for 25 years. They have been together 16 years. They are parents of two girls ages 8 and 11. Although they were married in Portland, Oregon on March 16, 2004, Brenda would not be treated as Celia’s survivor under Washington law if Celia were to die in the line of duty as a firefighter. Celia and Brenda want Washington to recognize that they are married. In the alternative, Celia and Brenda want to be married in Washington.

    Jeff Kingsbury and Alan Fuller of Olympia: Jeff has been Artistic Director for the Capital Playhouse for 18 years. He works extensively with youth and their families and is active in the downtown business community. Alan is a mortgage lender for the Washington State Employees Credit Union. The couple has been together for 12 years. Alan has observed how the inability to get married has affected them and others in housing opportunities.

    Judy Fleissner and Chris Gamache of Seattle: Judy is a police officer. Chris is an attorney. The couple has been together for 14 years. They are parents of a seven-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl. They were married in Portland on March 19, 2004. Judy was not able to use family leave like other officers when their daughter was born, and Chris would not be considered her spouse if Judy were to die in the line of duty. Judy and Chris want Washington to recognize that they are married. In the alternative, Judy and Chris want to be married in Washington.

    Marge Ballack and Diane Lantz of Spokane: Marge and Diane have shared their lives together for 25 years. Marge is a kitchen designer, and Diane works at a publishing company. They were married in British Columbia, Canada on July 21, 2003. Marge and Diane are treated as married by their children and grandchildren, but not by their government. Marge and Diane want Washington to recognize that they are married

    Tom Duke and Phuoc Lam of Port Townsend: Tom is a clinical psychologist and served in the Navy as an interpreter in Vietnam. A native of Saigon, Phuoc arrived in the United States as a refugee and now owns a hiking and outdoor equipment store. The couple has been together six years. Tom and Phuoc love each other, and believe that the State should not limit marriage on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Tom and Phuoc want to be married in Washington.

    Gary Murrell and Michael Gyde of Hoquiam: Gary is a writer and History professor at Grays Harbor College. Michael is an antiques dealer. The couple has been together for 25 years. Gary and Michael want to marry in order to ensure that they will be able to take care of each other and that they will be adequately protected as they get older.

    Karrie Cunningham and Kathy Cunningham of Graham in Pierce County: Karrie is a consultant. Kathy is currently unemployed. The Cunninghams have been together 11 years and have raised Karrie’s 18-year-old son together. In February 2004, Kathy and Karrie were married in San Francisco. The Cunninghams want Washington to recognize that they are married. In the alternative, Kathy and Karrie want to be married in Washington.

    Kevin Chestnut and Curtis Crawford of Seattle: Kevin is an executive for a software company. Curtis is a photographer. They have been together 19 years. They were married in British Columbia in October 2003. When Kevin’s appendix burst a few years ago, the hospital would not let Curtis make emergency health care decisions for him without obtaining verification from Kevin’s mother on the East Coast. Kevin has recently been diagnosed with cancer, which made the couple even more aware of the impact of legal inequalities. Kevin and Curtis want Washington to recognize that they are married.

    Pamela Coffey and Valerie Tibbett of Friday Harbor: Pamela is a photographer. Valerie is a retired administrative law judge. They have been in a committed, loving relationship for 31 years. When Pamela was recently airlifted to a hospital on the mainland, she and Valerie faced anxiety and uncertainty because they did not have copies of documents confirming their relationship. Pamela and Valerie want to be married in Washington.

    Allan Henderson and John Berquist of Seattle: Allan is an international consultant in the areas of hunger, health, and third world development. John is a nurse. They have been a couple for 23 years. Over the years, Allan and John have taken advantage of legal tools like wills, power of attorneys, and private domestic partner benefits. But they have seen the limitations of private contracts. Marriage for them is about the importance of recognizing that they are a family.

    Lauri Conner and Leja Wright of Seattle: Lauri Conner is a high school English teacher at Seattle Academy for Arts and Sciences. Leja is a medical assistant at the Country Doctor Clinic. The interracial couple has been together for three-and-a-half years. They hope to have children together soon. As part of educating high school seniors, Conner teaches about divisions that exist on the basis of race and sex. She sees the current Washington law’s refusal to respect their relationship in the context of other historic examples of discrimination.

    Comment


    • #22
      When you give up on discussing, you can always post articles. In any event that article does not make a good case for homosexual marriage. It seems absurd to me why anyone would want to establish marriage based on a deviant behavior, but if the concept of privatizing marriage, away from the State, you may have that chance.
      Achkerov kute.

      Comment


      • #23

        Comment


        • #24
          Devient? Says who? You?

          Jerry Falwell’s Greatest Fear

          Becoming that which he fears the most
          — or —
          being exposed for what he really is.

          This caricature simulates the character named Tinky Winky who appears on the BBC television program “Teletubbies.” The real Tinky, however, does not have a face that looks like Jerry Falwell. (Thank God, it would frighten the horses.)
          Tinky is a gentle soul who plays with his three tubbie pals. He also plays with his bright red purse.

          Jerry Falwell denies having started the “accusations” that the fantasy character Tinky Winky is gay. So what.

          What he undeniably endorses is the idea that the male, baby-like character is gay, and, therefore, must never be a role model. Falwall considers gay people to be evil.

          “I believe that role-modeling the gay lifestyle is damaging to the moral lives of children,” says Falwell on his “Personal Website” when discussing the Tinky tubbie.

          He offers no proof of any damage to children by gay people. There is none.

          He claims that there is a “gay lifestyle.” There is no such thing. Rather than consider an individual’s morality, he simply demonizes all gay people.

          The State of Hawaii, in Baehr v. Anderson, tried to deny same-sex couples the right to marry based, in part, on the false notion that gay men and lesbians were bad for children. All of the social scientists testifying in the court case — including the State’s own witnesses — made it clear that same-sex couples were just as well-equipped to be excellent parents as their straight counterparts. [See the Hawaii Court Finding granting the right to marry.]

          Further, most social scientists state that 95 percent of the abuse of children is caused by heterosexuals.

          But Falwell needs no science to peddle his hate mongering. His statements are unfounded and outrageous. They also seem silly because his concern is over a lovable, fictional character who dares to challenge sex-role stereotypes.

          Even though his concern seems petty, his false and inflammatory rhetoric often leads to discrimination, and suffering, sometimes fatal. His toxic, anti-homosexual rhetoric pollutes the national discourse and gives license to hate crimes.

          Besides being unscientific about gay people, he is also being immoral. He spreads lies about the value of an entire class of people. And just what are his motives? Does the “controversy” bring him national attention, volunteers, and, just maybe, a few donations? Or does he, in horror, see his own face on a boy tubbie who carries a purse?

          Comment


          • #25
            Once again, when discussing gets tough, one can always rely on article-posting, which doesn't do much except show that you are good in posting articles.
            Achkerov kute.

            Comment


            • #26
              onward Christian soldiers! Get those devient gays!

              On the September 4, 1998 Armstrong Williams talk show, Colorado talk-radio personality Bob Enyard called for the death penalty for gays and adulterers. Last year, a Christian radio talk-show host in Costa Mesa, California said, “Lesbian love, sodomy are viewed by God as being detestable and abominable. Civil magistrates are to put people to death who practice these things.” The announcer urged listeners to contact legislators and ask that they enact capital punishment for homosexuality. The station manager called the program “an honest dialogue concerning Christian beliefs.” Congressional candidate Randall Terry, former head of Operation Rescue, extends this view of “Biblical law” to include “Biblical slavery” and capital punishment for rebellious teenagers.

              Comment


              • #27
                From what I remember, marriage is between a man and a woman! Now, I don't have a problem with gay people, and the way they live as long as they don't advertise their lifestyle in public places. I also believe that because gay people feel different than rest of us (as they are), by being able to get married to each other, they might be able to fit themselves in the community better or feel wanted or something of that sort. This might sound weird and not true at all, but that's what I think. I also think that there's an issue with the tax breaks or certain benefits they can gain by being married. Again, I think we should leave marriage between a man and a woman!!!

                Comment


                • #28
                  I know most (if not all) of you won't agree with me on this, but I think marriage is just a paper! What is the big deal anyway huh? What matters is the feelings and commitment two people (same or opposite genders) have for each other. You don't need a piece of paper to prove your commitment to your partner... I know there are tax and other issues involved with legal marriage but from what I see, the main reason gays and lesbians want to get married is to be official. Well in my opinion, they're official as long as they consider themselves official. And if the state doesn't allow same sex marriage, they shouldn't really care...

                  Just my two cents...

                  Comment


                  • #29
                    Originally posted by CatWoman
                    I know most (if not all) of you won't agree with me on this, but I think marriage is just a paper! What is the big deal anyway huh? What matters is the feelings and commitment two people (same or opposite genders) have for each other. You don't need a piece of paper to prove your commitment to your partner... I know there are tax and other issues involved with legal marriage but from what I see, the main reason gays and lesbians want to get married is to be official. Well in my opinion, they're official as long as they consider themselves official. And if the state doesn't allow same sex marriage, they shouldn't really care...

                    Just my two cents...
                    I'll tell you why its a big deal. It is the seed of all that which makes our social fabric. It is the functioning unit which makes our society possible. That is why some of us actually have a concept of family, which has ensured the survival of human civilization. When you distort that, you distort the idea of civilization, and no society has ever been stupid enough to accept homosexuality into its mainstream institutions such as marriage. Even the Greeks who were by far the most supposedly sexually advanced of ancient societies kept homosexuality on the fringes, and allowed a man to engage in such so long as he promised later to marry, in order to continue their society.
                    Achkerov kute.

                    Comment


                    • #30
                      But what I'm trying to say is, why is it such a big deal for them if they can't officially get married? It's not like their lifestyle is gonna change once they're married. Most of them already live together, adopt kids, etc. etc. etc. Why do they keep pushing this marriage thing when all it really is, is a piece of paper.

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