Bill Browning, Real estate sales associate, Kirkland

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"Speaking from a personal point of view, I don't agree with same-sex marriages. But regulate things like that? I don't see how you can -- i don't see how you can regulate morality. Even though I don't agree with same-sex marriages, banning them opens up a whole can of worms... So our state makes a law because another state has done it? Why do same-sex marriages have to be an issue? How do you ban something like that? I just don't see why the state has to get involved."

Mary Rodgers, Mom, Everett

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"Actually, no, I don't think they should ban them. Personally, I think that what works for you works for you. I'm not one to say 'No, you can't do that'. As far as being gay or homosexual -- I personally couldn't do that. But if they're not hurting anybody, and they love each other -- hey, it's alright for me."

Lee Bogle, Artist, Kirkland

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"Yes, I believe they should. I know that's not a popular, mainstream thing to say, but I just don't think that's how God designed it to be... At the same time, I'm not a gay-basher. I feel a great compassion for gay people. I don't think people choose to be gay... But when it comes down to legalizing those marriages, that's going to become some sort of drawing card for gay people to come here. And that will bring in more AIDS, like in San Francisco. From a purely practical point of view, it's not healthy. There'll be a higher risk... But you know what I hate? I hate anybody who puts down gay people. This may be contradictory to what I just said, but I feel compassion for people who are gay. They're human beings, too."

Debra Nelson, Art gallery owner, Kirkland

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"Absolutely not. I think anyone who loves another has the right to express that commitment and marriage is the ultimate commitment in a relationship... I think that, as employees, they may or may not receive health care benefits -- but employers don't have to extend benefits to married couples now. So I think if someone takes that extra step and gets married, that it doesn't -- it shouldn't -- matter to the employer what the spouse's sex is. A spouse is a spouse."

Ray Oslin, Retired contractor, Seattle

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"My personal feeling? Yes. But for the individual rights of people? No. I don't think I have the right to infringe on another's decision.... I would say, put it to a vote, if there's to be anything done about same-sex marriages. Since this is a democracy, then let it work."

Frank Reese, Real estate appraiser and consultant, Kirkland

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"I haven't given that any thought. I'd have to think more about that before I said they should be banned. There are some things between two people -- two women, two men -- I mean, if they're really sharing and taking care of one another, why should that be limited? To just outright ban same-sex marriages? I think it takes more thought."

Copyright © 1996 by the Bellevue, WA-based Journal American newspaper.

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