Christian Examiner — Seattle/Tacoma Edition

Washington governor increases domestic partner benefits
OLYMPIA (EP) — Gov. Christine Gregoire, a Democrat, signed the "Marriage Equality Bill" (SSHB 3104) into law March 12 granting domestic partners in Washington more than 170 rights and benefits traditionally reserved for married couples.

The law, which goes into effect June 12, covers community property, guardianship and powers of attorney.

The measure was sponsored by Democrats Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, both openly gay members of the Legislature.

Larry Stickney, executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington says his organization "has grave concerns with SSHB 3104 and what it may lead to as the homosexual movement continues its march for attention, legitimacy, and full societal acceptance.”

Marriage laws and benefits are supposed to “promote and encourage the nuclear family” traditionally consisting of a father, mother and children, according to Stickney.

“To elevate same-sex marriage to a position of equality with genuine marriage is to weaken and damage the institution,” Stickney said. “While HB 3104 grants nearly every right and responsibility of genuine marriage, the substantial difference remaining appears to be in name only. If this law is allowed to stand, the homosexual lobby will be back next year looking to make that change as well.”

With six homosexual members of the state House and Senate, Washington state has the largest “gay caucus” in the country, according to the FPIW.

“Our state legislature is spinning wildly out of balance with cultural liberals controlling all three branches of government. Sadly, the leadership of the Democrat Party has allowed a core of homosexual activists and secular ‘progressives’ to hijack their social policy,” Stickney said. “Sen. Ed Murray has made no secret of the incremental strategy employed by the movement's leadership to achieve their goals.”

The FPIW is examining a possible referendum or initiative process as a possible means of turning back the new law.

Jenny Tyree, associate marriage analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said Washington’s law now resembles California’s, which mirrors traditional marriage in every way except name.

“Domestic partnerships blur the lines of family law until marriage—our most pro-child institution—is meaningless,” she said.

Bryan Malley contributed to this report.

Students raise money for teacher’s adult stem-cell transplant

WENATCHEE, Wash. (EP) — A Washington state elementary school has raised $12,000 to help a kindergarten teacher pay for adult stem-cell treatment that could help her beat lymphoma. KING 5 News reported that doctors tried chemo, but it wasn’t enough.

In early March, Marcy Hegberg of Mission View Elementary School was scheduled to begin a costly stem-cell transplant at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Dawn Vargo, associate bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the kindergartners are on to something.

“We should be putting our time and energy toward adult stem-cell therapies that provide treatments for patients like their teacher,” she said. “Rather than wasting taxpayer dollars on unproven and unethical embryonic stem-cell research, let’s put our money toward proven and tangible adult stem-cell therapies.”

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Community Briefs

Ongoing Meetings

by Michael Ireland — EP
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Since the ceasefire between the Ugandan government and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) was called and peace talks began in July 2006, the people of northern Uganda have seen substantial improvements in their living conditions, says Rory E. Anderson, Federal Way-based World Vision’s deputy director of advocacy and government relations.

But, said Anderson, the people on the ground are keenly aware these improvements will vanish if fighting resumes.

“The only way they can return to—and rebuild—their lives is with the signing of an official peace agreement,” Anderson said.

Last month, the Ugandan government and the rebel LRA agreed to set up a special war crimes court in Uganda to address the most serious crimes committed by the rebels during the country’s 22-year civil war.

That agreement has sparked debate among international agencies, says an article by World Vision’s Amy Parodi carried by Reuters news agency.

According to that article, several groups, most notably Amnesty International, have criticized the decision to allow war crimes to be tried in Uganda, rather than upholding current arrest warrants, which were issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in October of 2005. Reuters reported that the ICC will continue to pursue charges against the LRA despite the agreement.

World Vision says those arrest warrants have been a sticking point in the peace negotiations as the top LRA commanders have vowed to continue hostilities if the ICC indictments against them are not dropped. The Uganda-based court is a compromise to address that.
FULL STORY

11th Annual Creation Northwest features today’s hottest music
by Joanne Brokaw
GEORGE, Wash. — Once again, music fans have the opportunity to fellowship against a breathtaking backdrop at the 11th Annual Creation Northwest festival, July 23-26 at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Wash.

This year’s event features two stages showcasing dozens of big name artists like Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, Phil Keaggy, tobyMac, Newsboys, Flyleaf, David Crowder Band, Pillar, Barlow Girl, Sanctus Real, The Afters, Leeland, Skillet, Superchick, Kutless, Family Force Five, and Disciple.

As a special preview, Creation Festival and iTunes have partnered to offer a free monthly song download of an artist performing at Creation. Just visit the Creation Web site and click on “interact” for more details.

High energy is the name of the game in the kid’s tent, with pop “tween” sensation pureNRG, The Bigsby Show, The Adventures of Phredd, and musical ventriloquist Mark Thompson.

Speakers like Bob Lenz, Justin Lookadoo, Jeremy Kingsley, David Nasser, Reggie Dabbs, and Ron Luce will encourage festival-goers in their faith and challenge them to live a life more fully committed to following Christ.

Creation Festival is also sponsoring a national talent search. Three runners up will be chosen to play the Fringe Stage; one main winner will perform in the Late Night Talent Search Showcase stage and get all access backstage passes for the evening on the day of their performance.

One of the winning bands will also have a track reviewed for possible inclusion on an upcoming Tooth & Nail/BEC Recordings sampler. Complete contest information and submission guidelines can be found at the Creation Web site. The deadline to submit is April 30.

Tickets and camping packages for Creation Northwest are now available. Event ticket prices start at $94 and children under 5 are free. Group ticket prices are also available. Hot shower passes are available for $15.For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.creationfest.com/nw or call 800-327-6921.