Tit for Tat

A proposed ballot measure in Washington (State) by the Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance would require that marriages that don't produce children within 3 years be annulled. The writers of the measure argue that marriage is for procreation only, right? Well, if that is so, then let's make a law about that.

Actually, the measure is written by supporters of LGBT folks who are tired of hearing the rhetoric that marriage should only be between a man and a woman because only a man and woman can (and should) procreate. They are attempting to gather signatures to be placed on a ballot for voting. They admit that this will never go anywhere and that in attempting to do so, they will have an opportunity to discuss the merits of marriage, regardless of the sexual orientation of the persons getting married. Here is the story from this link.

Proponents of same-sex marriage have introduced a ballot measure that would require heterosexual couples to have a child within three years or have their marriages annulled.

The Washington Defense of Marriage Alliance acknowledged on its Web site that the initiative was "absurd" but hoped the idea prompts "discussion about the many misguided assumptions" underlying a state Supreme Court ruling that upheld a ban on same-sex marriage.

The measure would require couples to prove they can have children to get a marriage license. Couples who do not have children within three years could have their marriages annulled.

All other marriages would be defined as "unrecognized," making those couples ineligible for marriage benefits.

The paperwork for the measure was submitted last month. Supporters must gather at least 224,800 signatures by July 6 to put it on the November ballot.

The group said the proposal was aimed at "social conservatives who have long screamed that marriage exists for the sole purpose of procreation."

Cheryl Haskins, executive director of Allies for Marriage and Children, said opponents of same-sex marriage want only to preserve marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

"Some of those unions produce children and some of them don't," she said.