Gay rights debate heated as ever
OLYMPIA – It’s not often that legislative hearings are filled with biblical references and talk of the pilgrims, Moses, sex changes and sodomy. But all that ground and much more was covered Tuesday, as lawmakers held a standing-room-only hearing on House Bill 2661.
The bill – which liberal lawmakers have been trying unsuccessfully to pass since 1974 – would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Because a key lawmaker changed his mind last week, the bill for the first time stands a good chance of passing.
“It’s a matter of simple justice,” said the Rev. Elaine Stanovsky, representing 264 United Methodist churches in Washington and North Idaho.
“Our children are as truly gifts from God as any child,” said Marylin Cass, whose son is gay.
They were among the 100 or so people, from both pro and con camps, who packed a House hearing room Tuesday. Opening with a warning to be nice, committee chairwoman Rep. Kathy Haigh repeatedly cut off people who called the other side bigots, fornicators, adulterers and idolators.
Proponents said it’s a civil rights issue, and that the state should not allow employers, landlords and banks to discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and people with changed or changing gender. The bill is being publicly backed by Boeing, Vulcan Inc., the state labor council, the Urban League, Hewlett-Packard, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union.
“There is nothing to fear from an employed, housed lesbian, gay, transgendered or bisexual. Nothing at all,” said Marsha Botzer of Seattle. “Lives and careers do wait for this fairness.”
Opponents said that this would be the first time that the state has offered protections for people based on what they contend is a chosen behavior, rather than an inherent trait like race. Some opponents predicted that people would suddenly claim to be gay to avoid a layoff.
Washington already bans discrimination on the basis of race, creed, disability, nationality, gender and similar factors.
“My brother is Mexican and he’s gay, and he knows the difference between his behavior and his ethnicity,” said Vancouver resident Ray Garza, warning Democratic lawmakers that such bills cost them the votes of conservative Democrats. “I know ex-gays. I don’t know any ex-blacks or any ex-Mexicans.”
Judy Kerttula, who lives in Allyn, Wash., decried homosexuality as depraved.
“Until you have dominion over the wind and waves,” she warned lawmakers, “do not try to legalize what God has clearly prohibited.”
“Have you so soon forgotten Spokane and the vote of the people?” said Kirkland’s Judith Finney, referring to the recent recall of gay mayor Jim West.
Several opponents predicted that the bill, if approved, would be a steppingstone to legalizing same-sex marriage, or that it would force churches to – against their will – hire gay or lesbian ministers.
Not so, says Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, one of several openly gay state lawmakers and a longtime sponsor of the bill. For one thing, he said, the statutes that govern housing and employment, he said, are not related to the state laws about marriage. Secondly, he said, the bill exempts religious organizations.
“Our goal is not to dictate one set of beliefs on all our citizens,” he said, “but to create an atmosphere of tolerance and fairness.”
Some conservative lawmakers on Tuesday suggested putting the matter to a statewide vote.
“The rights of minorities should not be decided by majorities,” Murray responded, citing the nation’s founders.
More recently, Murray said, landmark legislation like the federal Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, both passed in the mid-1960s, were decided by lawmakers.
“If those had been put to a vote of the people, I think we know what the end result might have been,” he said.
Bill McQuaid, of Seattle, said that the current environment is “tantamount to state-sponsored discrimination” against gays, lesbians and others. Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma and Burien already have similar protections, he said, adding that the state should follow suit.
“Bigotry and political power struggles hold this bill back,” he said.
It may not be held back for long, however. House Speaker Frank Chopp said last week that the House will approve the bill very soon. And both Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, and Gov. Christine Gregoire have said that passing the bill this year is a high priority for them.
“Its day has come,” Gregoire said Monday. “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t get on with it.”
Rick Forcier, the executive director of the state Christian Coalition, argues that there’s no reason to do it.
“House Bill 2661 is a solution in search of a problem,” he told lawmakers Tuesday. There is little evidence of discrimination against gays and lesbians, he said.
Michael Latimer, of Des Moines, told lawmakers that the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina were signs from God. America is drifting away from its biblical national traditions, he said.
“The bill is taking another hit at this foundation – with a wrecking ball,” he told lawmakers.