Preserve Marriage Washington is willing to sacrifice on the altar of anti-gay animus the security of children who have gay and lesbian parents. That’s a harsh statement, but it’s the only conclusion that can be drawn from PMW’s refusal to admit that civil marriage provides security and stability for all children, not just children raised by heterosexual parents.

Preserve Marriage Washington is the anti-gay campaign trying to repeal Washington’s new marriage equality law via Referendum 74. Washington, D.C.-based National Organization for Marriage is footing PMW’s bills.

Through their opposition to the marriage equality law and exclusionary statements like “Marriage not only unites a couple to each other, it unites the couple to any children that may be born of their union,” PMW makes clear that they care nothing about the welfare of children being raised by anyone except two biological parents.

Preserve Marriage Washington’s campaign, if successful, will have serious consequences for real Washingtonian families. About 20% of gay and lesbian couples are raising children. Gay-parented families live in nearly every county in Washington (see map, right). Because we know that these families exist even when the parents aren’t allowed to marry, we know that PMW’s taking away the hard-won right to marry from gay and lesbian parents won’t prevent gay-parented families from existing. What it will do is make life less legally and financially secure for the children in those families.

Fair-minded Washingtonians know that all children — not just children raised by heterosexual parents — deserve the security and stability that civil marriage provides.

To help Washington United for Marriage keep marriage equal in Washington, “like” their Facebook page or make a financial contribution.