It was my partner of 26 years who helped me find the right word to describe the sensation we are both feeling: humiliation. For those fully integrated into society, it is difficult to imagine having both granted rights and the legitimacy of a committed relationship put up to a vote.

The lunacy of this entire prospect is clearly distilled by looking at not only the opponent’s game plan but the coaches themselves. By relying on deliberate obfuscation, that is by forcing an approve vote on a referendum they themselves put on the ballot, they are betting that the tolerant and fair-minded voters of Washington state will mistakenly vote “no” in order protect rights and responsibilities to all families. Expectedly, they have attempted to make this into a “marriage” vote which they know to be complete fabrication; honesty, it seems, never gets in the way of those passionately championing their brand of orthodox “truth.” Most outrageously, it is the very fiber of the antagonists that makes this all so farcical. Larry Stickney, leading the charge to defend the sanctity of marriage, has experienced its inviolability three times. Let’s get this straight. The person leading the charge to defend marriage from the perceived evils of committed couples has personally discarded his sacred vows twice, all while, mind you, defending charges of spousal abuse during his second divorce.

I have faith in Washington state. It is a state I have lived in for 35 years and loved even longer. It is a state that possesses the intellect to sort out truth from lies, justice from injustice while understanding the profound importance of inclusion. Most of all, I know the citizens of this tate as those who would never deliberately humiliate their own.

Please vote approve on Ref 71. Please tell your friends and family to approve 71. All families, all together.

Daniel J Hinkley

Indianola