Group seeks state ban on gay marriage

By The Associated Press

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OLYMPIA — Foes of same-sex marriage yesterday announced a drive to add a ban to the state constitution.

The newly formed Allies for Marriage and Children said it is responding to two recent court rulings, in King and Thurston counties, that invalidated the state's Defense of Marriage Act.

That law, passed in 1998 by the Legislature after overriding Gov. Gary Locke's veto, defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

A state constitutional amendment must originate in the Legislature, with a two-thirds favorable vote in both chambers, followed by a statewide public vote.

State Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester, said gay marriage will be a hot campaign issue and that pressure will mount to pass the amendment this winter.

But state Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, one of four openly gay men in the House, said the measure is doomed to fail and probably won't even get out of committee.

Leaders of the new anti-gay-marriage coalition announced their new effort at the Capitol. A handful of legislators attended the news conference.

"Marriage needs to be strengthened, not redefined," said Jeff Kemp, executive director of the Bellevue-based Families Northwest.

He said the group has "no intention of being mean" to gays but believes the institution of marriage and traditional families must be upheld.

Kemp said sponsors for a constitutional amendment have not been lined up. Although the original Defense of Marriage Act passed by at least two-thirds in both houses, there will be an uphill battle to change the constitution, he said.
 
The language of the amendment hasn't been firmed up. It could simply enshrine the state ban in the constitution or could attempt to declare that the Legislature, not the courts, is the last word on defining marriage, Kemp said.

Murray, meanwhile, said he objects to injecting a divisive issue into legislative races. Some lawmakers who voted for the ban in 1998 have lost their seats, but no one who opposed it was defeated, he said.

Gay marriage should actually stabilize and enhance relationships and families, he said.

"I think we will have a battle royal over the issue of marriage next year and, at the end, I don't believe it will be sent to the ballot," Murray said. "I don't believe the majority of people in Washington support same-sex marriage, but I also don't believe they support the kind of intolerance that was on display today."

Equal Rights Washington, a group advocating equal treatment for gays, said marriage is "a pro-family ideal" that should be available to all. Children need a safe and loving environment created by nurturing parents, regardless of the couple's gender, the group said.