As for most Americans, the Fourth of July means more to me than a good barbecue and cold brews. It's a time for family and friends to kick back, enjoy one another and welcome the summer ahead.
It's also a time to reflect on exactly what freedom and independence means, especially here in Washington State. Earlier this year, the Washington State Legislature recently passed a law, with bi-partisan support, that upholds these fundamental rights by allowing every Washington citizen the right to marry the person he or she loves. Those very principles are being challenged by those who want to take away the freedom to marry for our gay and lesbian family members, friends and neighbors.
Earlier this month, those determined to overturn the Washington State Marriage Equality Act delivered their signatures to the Secretary of State's office to place Referendum 74 on the ballot this November.
This is not a surprise. We knew this would happen. Still, it's important for voters to remember that this was a law that passed with a bi-partisan coalition because people on both sides of the aisle came together in support of fundamental fairness, equality and personal freedom for everyone. I was part of that coalition as one of the first Republicans to sponsor the bill because I believe it was the right thing to do for Washington state.
For me, this is also a question of governmental interference. As a Republican, I believe one of the key tenets of governance is a fundamental belief in personal freedom and individual responsibility. People understand this point when asked about marriage in this way: Would you like the government telling you whom you could or could not marry? I wouldn't and can't imagine why anyone would. And that is really what this law is all about -- giving individuals; friends, neighbors, family members, co-workers -- the freedom and responsibility to marry the person they choose; to have a family with the person they choose without interference from the government.
I have been married for over 23 years to the love of my life. My wife and I have four amazing children. I am one of the lucky ones. My mother always told me that the single most important decision you will ever make in your life is who you marry. She was right. It is the person you marry, not the color of their skin, not their religion, and now, not his or her gender.
The next generation inherently understands this. What I thought might be a lengthy discussion about marriage equality with my children during the legislative debate quickly whittled down to, "What's the big deal?" My 16-year-old daughter quoted the Declaration of Independence "pursuit of happiness" guarantee and then asked for the car keys. For them and their friends, this is a no brainer.
Marriage promotes responsibility, commitment and stability; family values that we all believe are important. Taking away freedoms by overturning our bipartisan marriage law, doesn't hold up to the Washington values I hold dear and hope to pass down to my children.
That's why I'll be working to "approve" Referendum 74. I believe that my gay and lesbian friends, neighbors and co-workers deserve the same freedom and opportunity to pursue happiness, to marry the person they love and to have that special union recognized by the state of Washington.
Steve Litzow is a Republican State Senator representing parts of King County.
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So why haven't I seen you in the divorce section ranting and raving and proclaiming that, "the sky is falling" over there?
Let me guess. You like cherries. It's cherry pickin' season, am I right?
Matrimony is a religious issue and what you get is a nifty expensive wedding at a religious institution or an Elvis Impersonator. You are married in the eyes of the Religion and other than the wedding that is all you get.
Marriage is a civil issue and requires a marriage certificate and your are married in the eyes of the law...a wedding is not required. You do get over a thousand rights and benefits.
It is unfair to offer this to only heterosexual couples and not homosexual couples. It is unAmerican and what Marriage Equality is all about.
To me, marriage is a religious ceremony. While it brings certain legal rights and responsibilities, it is fundamentally a religious concept. The Bible describes marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman. Period. I don't the government has any business trying to legislate religioos ceremonies.
I strongly support equal legal rights for gay couples and I am a firm believer in civil unions. But as far as I am concerned we need to leave religion out of it.
It is the state, through its laws, that legalizes your marriage, not the religious institution. It is the same in Europe. Having lived in France, I know that when a couple wants to marry, they have to go to city hall, their banns of marriage are announced outside city hall for three weeks, then they must get married in the marriage room by the mayor. If they wish to then be married in a church or synagogue, it is permitted.
Secondly, the religious ceremony only permits the person to officiate at the ceremony. The happy couple marry each other. What religions are trying to do is force their religion on civil law. Just because civil law permits their priests or rabbis or whomever to officiate at marriage ceremonies doesn't give them the right to influence secular law. The government has always legislated marriage, which is one of your religious ceremonies. The federal government legislated against polygamy and Mormons went to Mexico.
You feel it is not denial of rights - I think it is. There is no basis for not adhering to equality before the law - LGBT are people too. They are citizens; they deserve the same rights as
And so you're right, we need to leave religion out of the discussion. Gay couples should be able to get married because religion does not need to have anything to do with it. Heterosexuals do not need the blessing of a religion in order to get married, so gay people shouldn't need their permission either.
Love it.
It's also a time to reflect on exactly what freedom and independence means, especially here in Washington State. "
hence the reason for the correlation.
After reading this piece just now about your support of Ref 74, I only have this to say:
Thank you.