Proposal Would Invalidate Marriage Rights For Gays Bill Aims At Couples Who Wed Where It’s Legal, Then Return

Marrying someone of the same gender is illegal in Washington, and conservative lawmakers want to keep it that way.

They have introduced HB 2262 to prevent homosexuals who get married out of state, then return, from demanding the rights of heterosexual couples.

Conservative activists, including the Washington chapter of the Eagle Forum, are pushing lawmakers for the ban.

The activists fear Hawaii may soon become the first state to legalize same-sex marriages. The issue is pending before the state’s Supreme Court.

Action on HB 2262 is a litmus test for some, sorting true “pro-family” conservatives from the pretenders.

“Talk is cheap,” said Cathy Mickels of the Eagle Forum. “We have to cut through this political correctness, this idea of whatever feels good for you is OK.”

Carol Sterling, executive director of the Privacy Fund, a gay and lesbian political action group, called the bill “premature and blatantly discriminatory.”

“Premature because it is based on fear of what Hawaii may or may not do years from now. And discriminatory because it is once again culling out gay and lesbian people to deny them their basic civil rights,” Sterling said.

The bill has several Spokane-area sponsors, including Rep. Steve Furhman, R-Kettle Falls, and Spokane Republicans Mark Sterk and Larry Crouse.

“If you go back in history, there have been times when society is more accepting of homosexuality and worshiping of idols, and then God brings about some major catastrophe, war or calamity,” Fuhrman said.

“That society has a choice of returning to God’s word or that civilization fades from the scene. If there’s something I can do that keeps us in honor of God’s will, I need to do it.”

Democrats have lined up against the measure.

“I think we have more important things to do,” said Sen. Sid Snyder, D-Long Beach, Senate Majority Leader.

“It’s not even on the radar screen.”

Rep. Marlin Appelwick, D-Seattle, House Minority Leader, called the bill “a solution in search of a problem. It simply sets up a straw dog to stir up controversy for no reason.”

Gov. Mike Lowry has promised to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.

“I believe HB 2262 will harm the climate of openness and freedom that has drawn people and businesses to our state from across the nation and around the world,” Lowry wrote a constituent last week.

“I will continue to work for equal rights and against the hate.”

That steamed conservative activists, who say they are just standing up for traditional families.

“Since when is a commitment to marriages as established by the law of our land and mores hate?” Mickels said.

, DataTimes