Mike Groll / The Associated Press

Gay-rights advocate Matthew Arnold-Lloyd of Albany, N.Y., right, meets nose to nose with an unidentified man opposed to gay marriage during a rally outside the Capitol in Albany on April 28.

Declining to sign in opposition of fanatics

Editor, The Times:

I was astounded to read Larry Stickney of Protect Marriage Washington chastise the gay-rights group, WhoSigned.org, for attempting to publish the names of petition signers for Referendum 71 ["Group wants to name names," NWTuesday, June 2].

Stickney accused the group of "employing hostile, undemocratic, intimidating tactics," to support their interests. He is a pot calling the kettle black. His right-wing Christian groups have employed these same tactics for years.

As a married 50-year-old heterosexual female, I have no reservations supporting same-sex marriages. Marriage is not a Christian institution; it is a legal contract developed to protect women and children from abuse and abandonment by men and to keep them off welfare.

I have worked in several social-service settings with children in need. I have seen horrible neglect and abuse at the hands of heterosexual couples -- some married, many calling themselves Christians. I have also been blessed to witness children flourish while being raised by loving gay couples.

There is enough hate in this world. Why should we oppose the love between two people of the same sex? Frankly, I would be happy to have my name published for signing the "Decline to Sign Referendum 71" pledge in opposition to fanatics like Stickney.

-- Vivian R. Queija, Seattle

Not afraid to be "outed" by gay-rights groups

I understand that homosexual groups (WhoSigned.org, Equal Rights Washington and KnowThyNeighbor.org) are creating a list of those who sign a petition they dislike, to "out" them. This is typical of hate-filled, intimidating attacks of the homosexual lobby. They seek to "embarrass" signers of Referendum 71 by publishing their names.

Well, they don't have to await the successful acceptance of Referendum 71 and the resulting release of signers' names by the secretary of state to put my name on their list. Larry Stickney, please tell me where I can sign the petition. WhoSigned.org, put my name at the top of that illustrious list right now.

I intend to sign it the first chance I get!

-- Scott Baumann, Bellevue