Here is what Swecker, a Rochester conservative, said in response:
“I believe the proposal before the Legislature will create a hostile environment for those with deeply-held religious beliefs. Under this legislation, the supporters of traditional marriage will be assumed to be motivated by discrimination. While same-sex couples are concerned about their rights, traditional marriage supporters will have their own right to their religious beliefs taken away.
Supporters of this measure have said it contains protections for religious organizations. While it does exempt religious clergy from performing gay marriages, it still leaves anyone without a specific religious title open to charges of discrimination and legal ramifications, including court costs and perhaps even jail time.
“I do not believe sponsors of this legislation wish to create a hostile environment for people of religious faith. With the announcement today that there are enough votes to pass them, the bills must be amended to protect the religious liberties of those in Washington who support traditional marriage.”
Democratic Sen. Ed Murray again said today that his bill, SB 6239, protects churches against any requirement they conduct marriages for same-sex couples. And Haugen said that an amendment clarifying that protection was important to her decision.
The rights measure is likely headed to a referendum challenge. And Zack Silk of Washington United for Marriage, which supports marriage by gays, warned that money would pour in to repeal the law – assuming it passes – from right-of-center religious groups from around the country.
The group’s leader is quoted here as saying:
UPDATE:
The rights measure is likely headed to a referendum challenge. And Zack Silk of Washington United for Marriage, which supports marriage by gays, warned that money would pour in to repeal the law – assuming it passes – from right-of-center religious groups from around the country.
The group’s leader is quoted here as saying:
UPDATE: As we noted earlier in the month, Gov. Chris Gregoire’s request for the same-sex marriage bill comes as the Washington Poll has showed public support clearly swinging in favor INSERT YOUR LINK TEXT HERE in favor of same-sex marriage.
UPDATE 2: Republican Rep. Matt Shea of Spokane Valley warned of other impacts if the bills pass – including the threat of lawsuits against wedding services firms that decline to offer the services such as photography for gay couples.
But Shea's warnings have missed before. He warned in 2009 that if voters approved Referendum 71 - upholding all the state rights of marriage for registered domestic partners - it would open the door to lawsuits that would force courts to legalize gay marriage in Washington. That clearly didn't happen.
