Same sex marriage is clearly a much bigger problem than the economy, education, crime, health care, infrastructure, etc. Some people need to get a life.
I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize what you heard was not what I meant...
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire signed the bill Monday, saying it was "a day historians will mark as a milestone for equal rights, a day when we did what was right, we did what was just, and we did what was fair."
The law takes effect June 7.
However, opponents on multiple fronts already are preparing to overturn the law. A group called Preserve Marriage Washington filed Referendum 73 Monday afternoon. If the group collects the more than 120,577 valid voter signatures needed by June 6 to get a measure on the ballot, then the law will be put on hold pending the outcome of a November vote. Separately, an initiative was filed at the beginning of the legislative session that opponents of same-sex marriage say could also lead to the new law being overturned.
The National Organization for Marriage - which is based in DC and was involved in ballot measures that overturned same-sex marriage in California and Maine - has promised to work with Preserve Marriage Washington to qualify the referendum for the ballot.
OTOH, a campaign has already formed to fight any challenge to the new law. Washington United for Marriage, a coalition of gay marriage supporters, formed in November to lobby the Legislature to pass the measure and to run a campaign against any referendum challenging it.
Gay marriage supporters said that while they are ready for a campaign battle, they are allowing themselves to celebrate first.
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A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. Aristotle Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. Plato.. "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" Jackie Robinson
As to the percentage of the population that is gay, probably misleading since there is a continuum from gay to bi to straight. From what I have read, 4% is not a bad number for the number of gays, but if you include bi's as well as those who might have had any same-sex encounters at all, yes, it is higher. But still a considerable minority.
Four percent is the number of people who self-declare as gay when asked. Now, since being gay in our culture carries all kinds of associations, a lot of people who only have sex with members of their own sex choose not to identify as gay. This is why the terms MSM and WSW were created (men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women respectively). Once you include them, the number gets up to about eight percent. And once you include us bisexuals, you're up to more like sixteen percent.
Bottom line: There's a hell of a lot more than four percent around.
I bet there are more then that. That just never say. Especially in the bi range. Since so many people who declare being hetero, will say they chose to be so. Makes me wonder. One day when no one is afraid or has to be afraid (I hope that day comes) will find out a lot of people are not quite as hetero as we have been lead to believe.
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side. Aristotle Never discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. Plato.. "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" Jackie Robinson
As to the percentage of the population that is gay, probably misleading since there is a continuum from gay to bi to straight. From what I have read, 4% is not a bad number for the number of gays, but if you include bi's as well as those who might have had any same-sex encounters at all, yes, it is higher. But still a considerable minority.
Four percent is the number of people who self-declare as gay when asked. Now, since being gay in our culture carries all kinds of associations, a lot of people who only have sex with members of their own sex choose not to identify as gay. This is why the terms MSM and WSW were created (men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women respectively). Once you include them, the number gets up to about eight percent. And once you include us bisexuals, you're up to more like sixteen percent.
Bottom line: There's a hell of a lot more than four percent around.
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. ~ Proverbs 14:31
People in Washington don't have to get out and vote. Everything is mailed to them. There is no public voting. As a result, there's high voter participation.
Also, the LGBT population is much higher than 3-4%.
Well, that is interesting about the mail ballots. I didn't know that, and yes, I think that might make a difference. Good point.
As to the percentage of the population that is gay, probably misleading since there is a continuum from gay to bi to straight. From what I have read, 4% is not a bad number for the number of gays, but if you include bi's as well as those who might have had any same-sex encounters at all, yes, it is higher. But still a considerable minority.
I am not saying this justifies discrimination against minorities, only that it makes public referendums a dicey prospect. As to that:
Since the government gives benefits to married couples that are not given to unmarried individuals, depriving LGBT couples the right to marry violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
Agreed, and if this works out, it makes referendums moot. But it doesn't matter what you or I think, but what the courts rule, as the California case works its way forward. All I can say, as a practical matter, is: I hope you have faith in Justice Kennedy.
Some people need to get a life. 
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire signed the bill Monday, saying it was "a day historians will mark as a milestone for equal rights, a day when we did what was right, we did what was just, and we did what was fair."
