One step forward, two steps back

In the eight years between college and graduate school that I worked as a city hall reporter, I honed my natural tendency to be neutral, nonpolitical and evenhanded into a fine art. I observed and reported without judging or internalizing the various issues. The artist that I was made leaving work at the office easy.

I am a changed woman. Especially so since Nov. 2, 2004. Nowadays, politicians and their rhetoric get my blood boiling, set my head to spinning (I’d say like Linda Blair in “The Exorcist,” but I’ve never seen the movie, only heard the reference 253,008 times).

My most recent frustration is with our state Legislature. Albeit slim, a passing majority of state senators in November saw fit to consider me less human than any other Washingtonian, whether Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, white, African-American, Pacific Islander, male or female. House Bill 1515 was defeated 25-24, squashing the proposal to add sexual orientation to the state’s anti-discrimination law.

Honestly, it still doesn’t compute in my brain. Even with weeks since the vote to process the lawmakers’ assertions, I can’t make it add up. They actually think I’m less deserving of equal protection? But, but, but, they want my vote come re-election time, and my car tabs paid faithfully, and they love the sales tax flying out of my wallet into state coffers?

The logic is pathetic. Exclude and alienate 10 percent of the population, but go ahead and demand that they conduct themselves as equal citizens in all matters of daily public life. None of the 25 senators would pass the WASL with those kinds of reasoning skills.

Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, said during debate over the bill, “The tenets of my faith believe that love is most important, love your neighbor, don’t judge others.”

But not everything’s OK, Hargrove added, then voted against the proposal.

Heelllooo, McFly, love is exactly what this taxpaying, law-abiding voter is giving. I love my family. Incredibly so. That’s it. Pretty simple.

My fiancée and I are happy and stable neighbors, responsible and trustworthy employees, faithful citizens. Maybe you’re the guy who’s not OK, senator. Maybe by invoking your Christian faith when testifying and casting votes as an elected representative of the people you are unabashedly defying the duties of your office.

The logic, in this case, is crystalline. You are violating the separation of church and state. You are less of a politician.

Spokane, though, might be just the place for you, Sen. Hargrove, to learn to be human again. Our city council voted 5-2 last week in favor of a domestic partnership benefits ordinance. Partners of city employees who will be eligible for health care benefits and pension rights may be Muslim, Asian, same sex, opposite sex, baseball fans, theatergoers, fast food junkies. The labels are irrelevant. The love is everything.

And for those of us who follow our hearts in matters of love, Council President Dennis Hession said it best, “It’s about respect, dignity, justice.”