Greater Issue is Human Rights
Gay rights? No. Human rights is the correct phrase. I was appalled to see a petition circulated to rescind the domestic partnership law. Have we learned nothing from history? The treatment of Native Americans, blacks, Jews, women should be enough to tell us that repressing a group of people does not promote a healthy, productive society. This type of treatment hurts us all.
Most of us live with all the rights provided by this great country so to consider actually taking away rights from one group of people is unconscionable. Just because we don’t understand someone who is different than ourselves should not mean that our first response is to be punitive. Marriage is afforded to all — including murderers and rapists. Why is there no outrage about those sub groups?
I know that my gay friends did not choose their orientation. None of us chooses who we are attracted to — it just doesn’t work that way. And who would choose a life of repression and disdain anyway? Can’t we work together to solve important issues facing us all? Let the gay community have the rights afforded to everyone else and let’s move on to bigger issues.
Lori Mash, Ridgefield
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Vote Yes on Referendum 71
As YWCA Clark County's executive director, I ask Washington voters to please vote yes on Referendum 71, the Domestic Partnership Law.
Your vote preserves the domestic partnership law that has already been passed by our state Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
R-71 expands the rights of registered gay and lesbian domestic partnerships. It also applies to heterosexual partnerships when one partner is at least 62. There are more than 12,000 people in Washington registered in domestic partnerships. Gay and lesbian families need these laws to provide essential protections for their families, for example, the right to adopt a partner's child without paying for a home study or to use sick leave to care for a seriously ill partner.
Domestic partnerships provide a valuable option for seniors who often can't marry without sacrificing hard-earned Social Security and pension benefits. Denying these rights to legal domestic partners is a form of discrimination and oppression of a minority. The YWCA's mission is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Please take a stand in favor of R-71, affirming these values for our community.
Kathy Kneip, Vancouver
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Write your own letter to
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Vote Yes on Referendum 71
As YWCA Clark County's executive director, I ask Washington voters to please vote yes on Referendum 71, the Domestic Partnership Law.
Your vote preserves the domestic partnership law that has already been passed by our state Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
R-71 expands the rights of registered gay and lesbian domestic partnerships. It also applies to heterosexual partnerships when one partner is at least 62. There are more than 12,000 people in Washington registered in domestic partnerships. Gay and lesbian families need these laws to provide essential protections for their families, for example, the right to adopt a partner's child without paying for a home study or to use sick leave to care for a seriously ill partner.
Domestic partnerships provide a valuable option for seniors who often can't marry without sacrificing hard-earned Social Security and pension benefits. Denying these rights to legal domestic partners is a form of discrimination and oppression of a minority. The YWCA's mission is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Please take a stand in favor of R-71, affirming these values for our community.
Kathy Kneip, Vancouver
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Write your own letter to
- The Columbian, Letters from Readers, PO Box 180, Vancouver 98666
- The Reflector, PO Box 2020, Battle Ground 98604
- The Oregonian, 1320 SW Broadway, Portland OR 97201
- With WAFST's online letter-writing tool
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