Marriage debate takes place at Safeco

Kayla Webley
2004-05-03
The Daily

Thousands gathered at Safeco Field Saturday afternoon to "take a stand for marriage" in the Mayday for Marriage rally. Those who gathered were met by a mob of protesters, including UW students, who assembled to voice support for gay marriage.

The event's purpose was to show support for the traditional institution of marriage, defined by speakers as between one man and one woman.

The crowd, estimated at more than 20,000, listened to keynote speaker James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, in addition to pastors from Puget Sound-area churches.

As they entered the field, attendants were met by a mob of protesters shouting, singing and parading signs featuring messages about marriage.

One protester, UW junior Leoule Goshu, carried his message on a sign that read, "gay-bashing extravaganza with James Dobson, right here." Goshu felt the rally was targeted specifically against homosexuals.

"The whole purpose of this rally is not to talk about divorce; it's here to basically bash homosexuals," he said. "Hatred needs to stop somewhere; that's why I'm out here."

Once the event began, many protesters entered the field to march along the stadium's concourse. Their chants for equality and marriage as a civil right often drowned out the speakers' message.

Dobson spoke of the destruction of the traditional family.

"Marriage between homosexuals will utterly destroy the traditional family," he said.

Dobson cited examples from countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Norway, where he said the traditional family has almost disappeared due to the allowance of same-sex marriage.

One volunteer for the event, Rodney Zecher, felt the gathering was important because it served to heighten interest among the church community.

"It was important to wake up the church; we've never been political, and now it is time to draw a line and say this is a big deal," he said.

Shannon Deegan, a UW junior, trekked to protest the rally at 10 a.m., two hours before it began.

"When you have an event as huge as this, it is important to come out and show support for gay marriage," she said. "You should be able to marry whoever you love. That's your right. There should not be an amendment in the Constitution saying that's not OK."

Though the event hosted a controversial issue with both sides rallying their views, no major conflicts ensued. According to Deanna Nollette, a Seattle Police Department spokeswoman, one arrest was made for obstruction, but no other significant incidents occurred.