Same-sex marriage advocates came together Wednesday night to celebrate the unofficial Referendum 74 victory, and to share the coups and snares they’ve encountered on their personal journeys toward marriage equality.
About 40 people attended the post-election service, held at Westminster United Church of Christ, where the Rev. Andrea (Andy) CastroLang welcomed the crowd and congratulated them on their “hopes being fulfilled.”
After reading a letter from Debra Peevey, the Director of Faith Outreach for Washington United for Marriage — who said the Referendum 74 wouldn’t have passed without the efforts of the faith community — guests one-by-one lit a candle and thanked those who made this day possible for them.
“For Gov. Gregoire and her daughters.”
“For my dad, who’s gay.”
“For my mom.”
“For Westminster.”
“For President Obama and Michelle.”
“To God.”
The stories, and tears, flowed as they took turns at the podium.
C.J. Gibble, local field organizer for WUM, said the religious leaders who advocated for Ref. 74 changed many lives.
“I’m grateful to you for the hearts and minds you’ve healed for working on this issue,” she said, adding that the initiative couldn’t have passed without support from churches statewide.
In Spokane more than 15 clergy, of different religious backgrounds, came together to support Ref. 74 by erecting three billboards across town that read, “People of faith support freedom to marry.”
CastroLang said although it’s a time to rejoice, same-sex marriage advocates need to start thinking about what happens next.
“We have neighbors who still don’t understand,” she said. “We still need to talk to our neighbors. We’re still one country; we’re still one Washington.”
She encouraged everyone to keep telling their stories, adding that narratives can bring healing.
As of midnight, Ref. 74 was still leading statewide at 52 percent, and losing in Spokane County at 43 percent, according to the Spokane County Elections Office.
View more photos of this event on our Facebook page.
“CastroLang said although it’s a time to rejoice, same-sex marriage advocates need to start thinking about what happens next. “We have neighbors who still don’t understand,” she said. “We still need to talk to our neighbors. We’re still one country; we’re still one Washington.” She encouraged everyone to keep telling their stories, adding that narratives can bring healing.”
Yah, that’s going to be a hard one. I took a number of blows from the Pro-74 folk as an undecided voter up to the day I voted. My favorite was “Porch sitting Slave Owner”. I spent more time asking and responding on that one issue than I have ever done on a measure. I wrote, listened, talked, debated, read and prayed and then voted based on my political convictions as a right-leaning libertarian. I voted yes on Ref 74.
Yet, that vote didn’t leave me warm and fuzzy, especially towards the progressive/liberal attaack dogs that were running loose in a frenzy and fury just like the conservative hounds that were also barking and biting.
In the end I was bleeding and now, to be honest, I don’t trust any of the dogs in the kennel. I realized that when you get between a dog and his/her bone…it don’t matter who you are or what title or status you hold…you will get bit.
I would also add, that though certain words hurt, I know that it’s part of the passion of the process. I think some stuff went personal instead of staying on policy. That said, I forgive but I thought I would share in light of the ‘healing’ words focus in the post.
I think that “porch sitting slave owner” comment was mine, and while it didn’t really come out the way I intended it, as it was written, it wasn’t very defensible, and I apologize to you. I think towards the end, as we were seeing favorability of the referendum start to sink, progressives like myself got pretty scared it wasn’t going to pass. The analogies (at least to me) to the civil rights movement were both an inspiration for me, and a frustration for me due to how intransigent the NOM types are. I don’t want to wait my whole lifespan to see freedom for my loved ones.
As a progressive, every inch we take for what we deeply, heart-felt-fully believe is a bloody and painful inch. In the final yards to the goal, it can get tiring and painful and worst of all, you feel like you, personally, are letting people down whom you love, cherish, and deeply respect. That is a feeling that just can’t be borne, and I don’t think there was really anything like it being felt among opponents to gay marriage.
I will say that, obviously, this was not the first knock-out slugfest America has had over, what does it mean to be created equal? We laud Abraham Lincoln today, but he was a slugger for black rights. We honor the leaders of the civil rights movement, but forget the heated words that were exchanged on both sides, the slugfest it was in the 60s that was so intense that the military was called to action against U.S. citizens.
So, considering the good that these slugfests, painful and bloody as they may be for brief durations, have produced for civil rights for all kinds of groups, maybe it’s worth it. Would the civil rights movement had been successful if it was a placid, “respectful” discussion among friends? Probably not. Go to bat for the oppressed, downtrodden, and minorities, and your moral compass will probably not guide you wrong.
(And many, many, many thanks and applause for voting Yes, and for putting up with me, your radical, prickly leftist friend.) 🙂
Well hold your applause for me until you read my upcoming post:
“I voted “Yes” on Referendum 74 and my reasons will make both sides disappointed with me.”
We will see if you will still put up with this radical, prickly right-leaning libertarian friend 😉
I will gladly “put up” with you Eric. I’m looking forward to seeing your post. (I’ve got one in the hopper, too.)