As a little girl, I worried that I would fall in love with a non-Catholic. I was taught the Catholic Church would say “no” to that marriage – unless my intended converted to Catholicism. We could still get a marriage license filed with the state, but there would be no Mass or sacrament of marriage for me.

By the time I met the love of my life, a Presbyterian, the Church had become more flexible. So on May 25, 1974, I married Neil Brown at Christ the King Catholic Church. That was such a memorable day for my whole family! We are still together after 38 years. I would have been so upset if anyone had told me, “No, you cannot marry Neil.”

Because of the separation of church and state that is guaranteed by the Constitution of this great nation, religious organizations will always be able to say “no” to a marriage. But my gay son does not have the other option I had. He cannot get a marriage license that validates his love and commitment. The government is saying “no” to him. He can only have a “domestic partnership.” I never thought as my son was growing up that someday he would fall in love and get a “domestic partnership.” I hoped that someday he would fall in love and get married. I still do.

Please vote to approve Referendum 74. It means so much to our family.

Loraine M. Brown

Renton