Marriage vs. Domestic Partnership and Gay/Lesbian Rights
I know I said I'm not going to use this journal much any more, but considering recent legislative developments in Washington state, I feel as though I need to write this down to gather my thoughts and, perhaps, inform others. I feel that it is appropriate that I use Alfred for this mini-rant, as this topic is still a bit issue in the good old US of A. Which is sometimes not so good, but still old. Though not very old when compared to other countries. However, that is not the issue a la momentthe.
On May 18th, the Governor of Washington State, Christine Gregoire, signed Senate Bill number 5688. This law becomes effective on July 26th, 2009, and will grant domestic partnerships (IE - those had by gay and lesbian couples, and senior couples) the same rights and benefits as a married couple. Essentially, marriage without calling it marriage. The original text of the passed Bill is here.
There is no doubt that the passage of this bill is something I see as a huge step forward for gay and lesbian rights. Yes, some still might be irked that it won't be called marriage, but that can always come at a later time. For now, having these rights, the same ones as a married couple, are the most important thing, for they will protect the partners and children and family of gays and lesbians in domestic partnerships.
This Bill is a great thing, and an amazing step forward.
However.
This Bill was not voted on by the people of Washington State.
This statement brings us to our next issue: Referendum 71. There soon will be, if there aren't already, people on the streets of Washington trying to get signatures in support of Referendum 71. What Referandum 71 will do is bring Senate Bill 5688 onto the voters ballot, to allow the people of Washington State to vote on it. From here is where my inner conflict begins.
Gay and lesbian rights are very important to me. I consider it to be one of the most important subjects in this country. I often feel that those that do not support gay and lesbian rights are bigots. Yes, it is their choice, but if they do not support equal human rights for everyone, not determined by sex or race or sexuality, it irks me. I understand that this might alienate some of the people I am friends with, and I am sorry, but it is something I have an issue with.
However, one of the principles this country waas founded on was the people's right to vote. Voting has been a long-standing principle of the United States; the fact that we have the right to vote freely, as we choose. Yes, I am aware that we are not the only country that does this and has these rights, blah blah blah, but on the same token, there are still several countries out there, Iran being a prime example right now, where problems such as an already fixed ballot, or no ballot at all, are an issue. (Speaking of Iran, you can keep yourself pretty up-to-date on the latest stuff by following the twitter feed for it, surprisingly.)
So here is where I am conflicted. Yes, gay and lesbian rights are important to me. But so is the right to vote. I attempted to look up the ratio of eligible voters East of the Cascades, and eligible voters West of the Cascades, but unfortunately, those numbers are scarce.
In 2008, our state voted Democrat to support then-Senator Barack Obama. What I'm worried about is: will they do it again? I feel this Bill is one of the most important bills that has been passed in Washington State. However, it is still important that, while protecting the rights of gay and lesbian partnerships, that the right to vote also be protected.
So I am at a standstill: Which is more important to me? Gay and Lesbian rights? Or the Right to Vote? How do I decide between these two? Which one is right? Do I trust the people of the entire state of Washington (West and East) to do the right thing; to uphold the rights of Gay and Lesbian couples?
...I don't know.
On May 18th, the Governor of Washington State, Christine Gregoire, signed Senate Bill number 5688. This law becomes effective on July 26th, 2009, and will grant domestic partnerships (IE - those had by gay and lesbian couples, and senior couples) the same rights and benefits as a married couple. Essentially, marriage without calling it marriage. The original text of the passed Bill is here.
There is no doubt that the passage of this bill is something I see as a huge step forward for gay and lesbian rights. Yes, some still might be irked that it won't be called marriage, but that can always come at a later time. For now, having these rights, the same ones as a married couple, are the most important thing, for they will protect the partners and children and family of gays and lesbians in domestic partnerships.
This Bill is a great thing, and an amazing step forward.
However.
This Bill was not voted on by the people of Washington State.
This statement brings us to our next issue: Referendum 71. There soon will be, if there aren't already, people on the streets of Washington trying to get signatures in support of Referendum 71. What Referandum 71 will do is bring Senate Bill 5688 onto the voters ballot, to allow the people of Washington State to vote on it. From here is where my inner conflict begins.
Gay and lesbian rights are very important to me. I consider it to be one of the most important subjects in this country. I often feel that those that do not support gay and lesbian rights are bigots. Yes, it is their choice, but if they do not support equal human rights for everyone, not determined by sex or race or sexuality, it irks me. I understand that this might alienate some of the people I am friends with, and I am sorry, but it is something I have an issue with.
However, one of the principles this country waas founded on was the people's right to vote. Voting has been a long-standing principle of the United States; the fact that we have the right to vote freely, as we choose. Yes, I am aware that we are not the only country that does this and has these rights, blah blah blah, but on the same token, there are still several countries out there, Iran being a prime example right now, where problems such as an already fixed ballot, or no ballot at all, are an issue. (Speaking of Iran, you can keep yourself pretty up-to-date on the latest stuff by following the twitter feed for it, surprisingly.)
So here is where I am conflicted. Yes, gay and lesbian rights are important to me. But so is the right to vote. I attempted to look up the ratio of eligible voters East of the Cascades, and eligible voters West of the Cascades, but unfortunately, those numbers are scarce.
In 2008, our state voted Democrat to support then-Senator Barack Obama. What I'm worried about is: will they do it again? I feel this Bill is one of the most important bills that has been passed in Washington State. However, it is still important that, while protecting the rights of gay and lesbian partnerships, that the right to vote also be protected.
So I am at a standstill: Which is more important to me? Gay and Lesbian rights? Or the Right to Vote? How do I decide between these two? Which one is right? Do I trust the people of the entire state of Washington (West and East) to do the right thing; to uphold the rights of Gay and Lesbian couples?
...I don't know.