Olympia, WA - February 5, 2009 - In what may have been round one of an upcoming referendum effort, an estimated 300+ Washingtonians from around the state jammed House and Senate public hearings on Thursday to defend traditional marriage. With many newspapers and other traditional media sources choosing to ignore the hearings, numerous organizations linked arms to successfully get the word out to many thousands of households around the state.

"It was heartening to see such a diverse coalition rapidly come together as one to oppose same-sex 'marriage.' I met housewives and homeschoolers, working men and working women, Protestants, Mormons, Catholics. They all came on short notice to voice their opposition to these bills and they conveyed their message with eloquence and reason," said Larry Stickney, President of the Washington Values Alliance.
 
With testimony running in excess of 10 to 1 in opposition to SB 5688 and HB 1727 (which would add substantially all of the provisions of marital rights to the state's "domestic partnerships" law) liberal committee members often appeared agitated and impatient with the overwhelmingly pro-traditional marriage crowd.

"Genuine marriage has provided the foundation for healthy and harmonious family living for civilized societies for centuries. It does not exist just for the emotional satisfaction, affirmation, or validation of two individuals, but for the greater good of the social order. Marriage should, therefore, remain an institution that is upheld as an unchangeable standard," said Stickney.

"Particularly disturbing to me was House Judiciary Chairman Jamie Pedersen and Senator Ed Murray's refusal to discuss the affect these bills will have on rights of conscience and freedom of religion. In a few short months after legalizing same-sex "marriage" in Canada, activists there successfully passed a bill criminalizing public statements against homosexuality, punishable by up to two years in prison," Stickney continued...

"If same-sex marriage becomes the law in Washington, every public school will be forced to teach that same-sex 'marriage' and homosexuality are perfectly normal.  These bills will harm our schools by driving an irreconcilable wedge between the values of many parents and public school curriculums.  Parents will be left with no choice but to remove their children. The legislature is courting disaster with these bills and needs to look closely at the consequences of these measures, even if Chairman Pedersen and Senator Murray won't."

The Washington Values Alliance is continuing to urge citizens statewide to contact their legislators via e-mail or by calling the legislative hotline at 1.800.562.6000 to tell them NO on Senate Bill 5688 & House Bill 1727 (Expanding the rights and responsibilities of state registered domestic partners).