I am saddened and upset that our state has changed the definition of marriage through the passage of Senate Bill 6239. Since the beginning of our statehood, marriage has always been between one man and one woman. I do not want that changed. Do we really understand the “ABC’s” of this?

First, we already passed the “Everything But Marriage” law in 2009 for gay couples. They now have all the legal rights a married couple does.

Both parents, male and female are valuable in raising children.

Second, the consequences of passing this law are far reaching. Individual persons or businesses can be sued if businesses refuse to participate in gay marriage ceremonies that require photographers, wedding coordinators, counselors, and wedding venues.

Our schools will be forced to comply with the new genderless definition of marriage and will be teaching this from our grade school students on up. Parents will not be allowed to opt their children out of this instruction.

There have been 32 others states whose legislatures have passed gay marriage bills. In all 32 states, when brought to the voters to decide, gay marriage was rejected in all 32 states. Washington, let’s not be the first state to allow the redefinition of marriage.

Is this what we want for the future of our children? I, for one do not. And I hope and pray there are many others that will join me in voting to reject R-74.

Sincerely,

Vivian Battjes

North Bend