Election rules put brakes on city's parade float supporting same-sex marriage
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SEATTLE -- A plan to put a float in Seattle's Gay Pride Parade sparked a citywide reminder.
The Seattle Parks Department wants to add a float for the first time this year. And while there's nothing wrong with that, the theme got the attention of the Ethics and Elections Commission.
The department developed a theme around same-sex marriage.
Sue Goodwin, Parks Recreation Director says the group asked itself, "How do we represent Seattle parks and what we mean to communities, that we believe all folks are welcome. How do we include everybody in our conversations?"
Hundreds of weddings happen in Seattle parks, and if the marriage equality law survives the referendum challenge, the Parks Department will market to a whole new demographic.
Someone complained about the theme to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, sparking a city-wide email from the executive director. Wayne Barnett reminded everyone from the mayor to each department head, "The Pride Parade is just around the corner, and I know that many of you are planning to participate in the parade."
He reminded them that with the referendum challenging the Marriage Equality law, departments must tread carefully.
"With that issue squarely before the voters, it's important to make sure that the City's lawful support for the LGBT community doesn't bleed into an unlawful use of City facilities to promote the ballot measure. To that end, please make sure that no City equipment in the parade is emblazoned with messages supporting same-sex marriage, and that employees marching under the City's flag understand that they cannot carry signs or banners promoting same-sex marriage.
"I know that many of you and your employees will not like this advice any more than I like giving it. For those who cannot contemplate participating in the parade without advocating same-sex marriage, it is important to know that the law only bars the use of public facilities to support or oppose a ballot measure. If City officials or employees use their own funds, equipment, and time to participate in the parade, and make no use of City resources in the parade, they may freely exercise their First Amendment right to advocate for same-sex marriage."
The Parks Department will now submit a new float with the theme, "All fish are welcome in our pond."
"It's the first year for us," Goodwin said. "It's timely. It's the right thing to do. We talk about being inclusive for all and welcoming to all and this is really walking that talk with the Seattle community."
The Seattle Parks Department wants to add a float for the first time this year. And while there's nothing wrong with that, the theme got the attention of the Ethics and Elections Commission.
The department developed a theme around same-sex marriage.
Sue Goodwin, Parks Recreation Director says the group asked itself, "How do we represent Seattle parks and what we mean to communities, that we believe all folks are welcome. How do we include everybody in our conversations?"
Hundreds of weddings happen in Seattle parks, and if the marriage equality law survives the referendum challenge, the Parks Department will market to a whole new demographic.
Someone complained about the theme to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, sparking a city-wide email from the executive director. Wayne Barnett reminded everyone from the mayor to each department head, "The Pride Parade is just around the corner, and I know that many of you are planning to participate in the parade."
He reminded them that with the referendum challenging the Marriage Equality law, departments must tread carefully.
"With that issue squarely before the voters, it's important to make sure that the City's lawful support for the LGBT community doesn't bleed into an unlawful use of City facilities to promote the ballot measure. To that end, please make sure that no City equipment in the parade is emblazoned with messages supporting same-sex marriage, and that employees marching under the City's flag understand that they cannot carry signs or banners promoting same-sex marriage.
"I know that many of you and your employees will not like this advice any more than I like giving it. For those who cannot contemplate participating in the parade without advocating same-sex marriage, it is important to know that the law only bars the use of public facilities to support or oppose a ballot measure. If City officials or employees use their own funds, equipment, and time to participate in the parade, and make no use of City resources in the parade, they may freely exercise their First Amendment right to advocate for same-sex marriage."
The Parks Department will now submit a new float with the theme, "All fish are welcome in our pond."
"It's the first year for us," Goodwin said. "It's timely. It's the right thing to do. We talk about being inclusive for all and welcoming to all and this is really walking that talk with the Seattle community."
