We must use the courts to change marriage law [MAJOR BARF ALERT]

The Seatle Times ^ | 3/11/04 | Ron Sims, Candidate for Governor

[ppaul]

On Monday, March 8, at 8:30 a.m., I opened the doors at the King County licensing counter to six loving same-sex couples courageously seeking marriage equality. Although I could not issue them licenses, I worked with these couples, the Northwest Women's Law Center and Lambda Legal Defense to file suit in King County Superior Court for the marriage rights denied to them.

Why did I choose the judicial path to equality? Because we must use the law to change the law.

The Book of Common Prayer says matrimony is a holy and honorable estate, and "therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God."

We must discuss the definition of marriage with the same reverence, discretion, sober thought and prayer.

Washington state's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act clearly defines marriage as "between a male and a female, over 18 years of age."

As King County executive, my oath of office requires me to uphold the law and I will not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples as long as state law prohibits it. Yet I believe the Defense of Marriage Act is wrong and violates equal protection under the law.

Peter Ilgenfritz and Dave Shull, pastors at
University Congregational Church in Seattle,
are among six couples that filed suit after
being denied a marriage license.

Last month, I visited the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. As I stood at Lincoln's feet, in the quiet of that hushed marble chamber, I reflected on the greatness of this man and his immortal words.

Lincoln fought to protect the ideals of "a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." The echo of Lincoln's words reverberates through time as every generation answers each new call for justice and equality.

Lincoln struggled to keep the Union from falling apart, while we struggle today with how a different kind of union will come together.

President Lyndon Johnson echoed Lincoln while signing the Civil Rights Act in 1964. He said, "... We believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet millions are being deprived of those blessings."

One of those blessings is marriage. And in 2004, gays and lesbians cannot realize the blessing of marriage equality.

Today's laws offer no protection for same-sex couples who have to make urgent health-care decisions when one partner is ill or dying.

Today's laws offer no protection regarding inheritance, benefits and insurance for the surviving partner of same-sex couples.

Today's laws must be changed.

Equality for all cannot be achieved if equality for some is denied, and discrimination anywhere makes it that much easier for discrimination to flourish everywhere.

There is capacity within this great nation to continue the struggle on behalf of all those who fight discrimination and oppression. A victory in one arena is not a loss for another. Rather, it is a victory for all. A rising tide that lifts all ships. When marriage equality is granted, equality for all groups will be that much closer.

There is a path to marriage equality. We must use the law to change the law.

Washington state's Defense of Marriage Act says that anyone who is denied a marriage license has the right to appeal that denial to their county's superior court.

So several weeks ago, I asked the Northwest Women's Law Center and Lambda Legal Defense to take King County to court. On Monday, I stood proudly and humbly with six brave and committed couples who were willing to use the system to change the system.

The courts are the appropriate place to resolve this issue of equality.

My great-grandparents, who were slaves, could not marry because it was against the law.

Decisions by the courts changed that.

Prior to 1967, my own marriage would not have been possible because interracial marriage was illegal.

Decisions by the courts changed that, too.

We still have discrimination in this state when it comes to marriage. I believe the court decision on this issue will also be just, and will change the law.

Many believe my actions Monday went too far. Others believe my actions Monday did not go far enough.

In 1963, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The time is always right to do what is right."

Today, the time is right. Our action Monday was the right way to meet this call for justice.

Ron Sims is the King County executive, and an ordained Baptist minister.

LINK to article:http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2001876127_sims11.html

[ppaul]

This guy's an "ordained Baptist minister"?

The Book of Common Prayer says matrimony is a holy and honorable estate, and "therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God."

What a joke.
There is no fear of God.
If there was, he and his counterparts all over the land, would not be pushing perversion.

[farmfriend]

Liberals use the courts to change anything they don't like.

[irishtenor]

The guy is an "Ultra-Liberal" who's nickname is "Tax to the Max" Sims.

[cardinal4]

Liberals use the courts to change anything they don't like.

Yup. Just find a liberal or gay federal judge and overturn with the bang of a gavel, what our forefathers tried to make unchangeable..

[John Locke]

The Book of Common Prayer says matrimony is a holy and honorable estate...

"...instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union which is betwixt Christ and his Church ..."

[taxesareforever]

A belief in this type of politics means that a murderer deserves to be free. Open the prison doors, everyone in there has rights and they deserve to be free like everyone else. Yes, as I stand at the feet of Lincoln....Barf!

Since he calls himself an ordained Baptist minister you would think that he would be quoting Jesus or the Bible. But then again, these are not to be found near the statue of Lincoln. But wasn't he carrying a Bible? No, that was Bill Clinton.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[ppaul]

ping.

[Southack]

He's not exactly a fan of that democratic/republican concept of *voting* to make changes to laws that we don't like, now is he?!

[Prime Choice]

We must use the courts to change marriage law...

This is the core of the truly repulsive Leftist judicial activism. Since they know the will of The People will never allow them to have their way, they call in the judicial tyrants to pave the way for their socialist "utopia"...

There will come a day of reckoning, I'm tellin' ya...

[HarleyD]

My thoughts exactly. I thought rather than standing at the feet of Lincoln he should be standing at the feet of Jesus.

If his ordination means anything he should be excommunicated - unless he got his ordination where the "Reverend" Jesse Jackson got his.

[Kahonek]

"If his ordination means anything he should be excommunicated"

Baptists can't be excommunicated. Their faith is between them and God, and there's no human that decides the issue.

[Monty22]

What a baddddlllyyyyy written article. Awful style and grammar.

Not to mention so silly.

[HarleyD]

But what kind of Baptist church he would be a pastor at? Certainly one to stay away from.

[Kahonek]

"But what kind of Baptist church he would be a pastor at?"

THAT's definitely something that's decided by humans. Any Baptist church can choose to fire a pastor...

[connectthedots]

Today's laws offer no protection for same-sex couples who have to make urgent health-care decisions when one partner is ill or dying.

It's called a limited power of attorney.

Today's laws offer no protection regarding inheritance, benefits and insurance for the surviving partner of same-sex couples.

aside from medical insurance, it's called a will.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping - more from the Tsunami of Sewage(tm).

It is especially revolting to see the earnest, sincere (sarcasm) faces of "ordained ministers" who are homosexuals making a mockery of marriage, the Bible, moral absolutes, and in essence, pi**ing on them all.

If someone wants to practice same sex sodomy, why do they have to pretend to be religious?

(Rhetorical question.)

For the same reason they want to pretend to be married.

To destroy, to control, to dominate.

Let me know if anyone wants on/off this ping list.

[EdReform]

Bump

What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda
( www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1076476/posts )

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)
( www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1026551/posts )

The Stamp of Normality
( www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085090/posts )

[L.N. Smithee]

Lincoln struggled to keep the Union from falling apart, while we struggle today with how a different kind of union will come together.

....................He's got to be kidding.

[Publius6961]

Who is this fruit loop?

I am irrevocably in support of that useless tradition: the Legislatures make laws.