Comments on: Washington may expand partnerships http://sammamishreview.com/2009/02/02/washington-may-expand-partnerships The Sammamish Review Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:59:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Michael J. O'Connell http://sammamishreview.com/2009/02/02/washington-may-expand-partnerships/comment-page-1#comment-2833 Michael J. O'Connell Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:36:23 +0000 http://sammamishreview.com/?p=4476#comment-2833 Thanks to the Sammamish Review for helping to educate the public on the realities facing LGBT couples and to Dana and Sage telling us their story. We are talking about equal rights for all residents of Washington. It is unfortunate that some believe that the state should enforce their particular moral code by blocking equality. To say because LGBT equality 'violates personal values' it shouldn't be granted is inappropriate because equal rights should never be subject to popular vote. If that was the case we would still be holding African American slaves in some parts of the country. The legislature should act boldly and pass the equality legislation. The slipery slope argument is worn out as it has been demonstrated over time that none of these dire predictions have come true in the many places in the country where equality laws are on the books, including here in Washington. It is time we set aside our own version of morality and recognize that every person has the inherent right to the same legal protections and support for their partner relationships regardless of gender preference. Thanks to the Sammamish Review for helping to educate the public on the realities facing LGBT couples and to Dana and Sage telling us their story. We are talking about equal rights for all residents of Washington. It is unfortunate that some believe that the state should enforce their particular moral code by blocking equality. To say because LGBT equality ‘violates personal values’ it shouldn’t be granted is inappropriate because equal rights should never be subject to popular vote. If that was the case we would still be holding African American slaves in some parts of the country.

The legislature should act boldly and pass the equality legislation. The slipery slope argument is worn out as it has been demonstrated over time that none of these dire predictions have come true in the many places in the country where equality laws are on the books, including here in Washington.

It is time we set aside our own version of morality and recognize that every person has the inherent right to the same legal protections and support for their partner relationships regardless of gender preference.

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