Weyco, Fibre silent on gay rights bill
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 6:36 AM PST
By Don Jenkins
Printable version
E-mail this articleOLYMPIA --- Some of the state's marque companies are announcing their support for a bill prohibiting discrimination against gays, though old-line Cowlitz County employers Weyerhaeuser Co. and Longview Fibre aren't among them.
In a letter to legislative leaders last week, seven companies, including Boeing Co. and Microsoft Corp., asked lawmakers to pass House Bill 2661 and add sexual orientation to the state's anti-discrimination law.
"The principles fostered by (HB 2661) are consistent with our corporate principles in treating all employees with fairness and respect," the letter stated.
Nike, Corbis, RealNetworks, Vulcan and Hewlett Packard also signed the letter.
"We feel as a member of the business community, it's important for us to take a stand on this issue," Hewlett Packard lobbyist Dan Coyne told the House state government committee, which held a hearing on the bill Tuesday.
Seattle Democrat Ed Murray, one of four openly gay House members, noted the backing of major companies.
"Businesses in this state support this bill because they realize it creates an atmosphere of tolerance and respect that attracts both new businesses and great employees," Murray said.
A major Cowlitz County employer, St. John Medical Center, has no position on HB 2661, but already has a policy of not discriminating based on sexual orientation, hospital spokesman Randy Querin said in an interview.
"We're ahead of the curve on this one, waiting for the state to catch up," he said.
Spokesmen for Weyerhaeuser and Longview Fibre were contacted Tuesday and said they would check their companies positions. Neither came back with an answer by the end of the business day.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the Rev. Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Bible Church in the east Seattle suburb of Redmond, said he will call for a boycott of companies that support the bill.
Hutcherson took credit for Microsoft staying neutral last year. The company, which came under fire from gay activists, said it was focused on other issues.
Rep. Dean Takko, D-Longview, voted for the legislation last year and is one of 46 cosponsors of the bill this year. He said he didn't suffer a backlash for his vote.
"This is something personally I think is right, and I think most people in my district would feel is right," he said. "If a person says, 'You're fired because you're gay,' it's not right."
The Legislature has considered prohibiting discrimination against gays in employment, housing and financial dealings for about three decades.
The measure passed the House last year, and the bill came within one vote of passing the Senate.
This year, supporters of the bill are optimistic. The legislation should pass the House again, and Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, says he will switch and vote yes this year, giving the bill the one vote it lacked last year.
Although the legislation appears to have clear sailing in the House, it endured another stormy committee hearing, the first step in the legislative process.
Be wary, said Faith and Freedom Network lobbyist Bob Higley, of advancing the "homosexual agenda."
"It's detrimental to the culture," he said.
Christian Coalition executive director Rick Fourcier said there's no evidence gays need protection. "HB 2661 is a solution in search of a problem," he said.
Other people, however, said their faith leads them to support the bill. "It's a matter of simple justice," said the Rev. Elaine Stanovsky, United Methodist Church superintendent for the Seattle-Tacoma area.
Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, and Sen. Mark Doumit, D-Cathlamet, voted for the bill last year.
Republican Sen. Joe Zarelli of Ridgefield, and Republican House members Ed Orcutt of Kalama and Richard Curtis of La Center voted against the bill in 2005.
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