Brynn writes:
When news broke that Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, would support a Senate bill legalizing same-sex marriage, I was asked by my editors to call our local supporters and opponents of the measure to get a reaction. Haugen’s announcement gives the Senate the votes it needs to pass the measure, which has become the most high-profile issue before the Legislature during this short session.
I was able to reach Marcie Mathis, co-chair of the Kitsap Pride Network, but I had no luck getting in touch with the three members of the Kitsap Marriage Alliance’s leadership team. I left phone messages and emails, but I had already left for the day before one of them got back to me.
Because I want to fairly represent both sides of the issue, I am posting leadership member Chris Moore’s response via email that he sent me on the issue. Moore was in Olympia yesterday for the hearings. He estimated there were around 50 people from the 23rd Legislative District that he knew at the hearing.
Here’s Moore’s email to me:
“On behalf of Kitsap Marriage Alliance, I would say that we are disappointed but not surprised. We anticipate that there will be a referendum drive and we will be actively engaged in collecting signatures.”
While in Olympia Moore’s group met with Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, and Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, to discuss the legislation. Moore said they talked about setting up a meeting with Rolfes and Appleton similar to the one the alliance held Jan. 9 at the Gateway Fellowship church where Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, and other anti-gay marriage advocates spoke about the need to voice opposition against the proposed bills.
During the meeting the legislators would make themselves available to discuss their views and would make themselves available to questions from constituents. Moore said his group will “actively seek to schedule such a meeting for some time after the current session closes.”
When a date has been set, I’ll let you know about it.
Where is appointed Rep Hansen (D-BI) on this issue? He wouldn’t be trying to duck the issue, would he? He has been quoted repeatedly that he fully supports the “gay marriage” redefinition of marriage. Brynn, perhaps you could find out what Mr. Hansen has gone.
Here is Drew’s statement in support of special-interest change in the definition of marriage. PAM DZAMA | Legislators’ priorities jumped the track, again » Kitsap …
Jan 10, 2012 … Gregoire came out in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. … Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo stated, “They pay the same taxes and should … Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island said, “It means a lot to me that I’m married to …
Bravo Sun for making anyone commenting on this topic to use their real name. The name above is mine and I have always used it to post comments to the Sun. So bravo the legislators on both sides of the aisle in Olympia for what looks like is going to be a blow to discrimination. Sorry if your religion or moral compass is against gay marriage. But I am more sorry to see a segment of American society being discriminated against because of sexual preference. My opinion and thank you Sun for letting me honestly and openly express it.
Again the few determine what the majority will do. 19,000 domestic partnerships(some may be heterosexual couples with 1 over 62)are running the legislature. Note the bill leaves in domestic partnerships for the above heterosexual couples. It is okay to discriminate against elderly couples.
Funny that JMO wonders “what”(sic) 23rd District Representative Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge) “has gone” on this issue. He also says that 23rd District Representative Drew Hansen has been quoted repeatedly that he fully supports the “gay marriage” re-definition of marriage. Do I detect some sort of ‘disconnect’ here from JMO? Hmmm…