I’ve always figured what people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms is between them and God.

    I’ve also believed that civil unions are simply legal contracts between two people, similar to health care directives, power-of-attorney paperwork, or business agreements with clients.

    So, when I initially saw the Referendum 71 petition, placing before Washington voters the question of legalizing domestic partnerships, I didn’t sign it.

    When I saw it again, I did.

    Why?

    First, I heard that some supporters of domestic partnerships had threatened violence toward the lives and property of anyone who signed the petition.

    By golly, that’s just not right. This is the United States of America, where freedom still reigns — at least it’s supposed to. Everyone should have the right to voice his or her opinion without fear of reprisal or intimidation.

    Secondly, both proponents and opponents of the “everything but marriage” measure contend that this is part of a long-term strategy to redefine marriage and legalize same-sex marriage, making our state’s 1998 Defense of Marriage Act irrelevant.

    I believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman. I also believe God created men and women to marry and procreate. Anatomically, it’s sort of a no-brainer.

    I expect the “tolerant” left will label me as a homophobic, gay-bashing, right-wing nut because I believe in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman. So be it. President Barack Obama said he believes the same.

    State-sanctioned civil unions aren’t necessary. Anyone can sign a legal document appointing another person their health care power of attorney, fiscal power of attorney, co-owner of a home, beneficiary, or business partner. Nobody at any hospital would refuse to allow a person’s health care power of attorney to visit.

    But once the state sanctions gay marriage, it’s possible, perhaps even probable, that the homosexual lifestyle will be taught in our public schools as a legitimate and appropriate “choice,” undermining Christian values parents may instill in their children.

    Think it can’t happen?

    Just ask Kevin Jennings, Obama’s pick as assistant secretary in the Education Department’s Office of Safe & Drug Free Schools. Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, boasted about using the word “safe” to promote homosexual advocacy in Massachusetts schools. In that state, where gay marriage is legal, a federal court has declared schools must teach that homosexual and heterosexual relationships are the same in every way.

    Jennings also wrote a foreword to a 1999 book called “Queering Elementary Education: Advancing the Dialogue about Sexualities and Schooling.”

    Think that’s an anomaly? Type that title into Amazon.com and you’ll find plenty of similar publications — “Sexual Orientation and School Policy: A Practical Guide for Teachers, Administrators, and Community Activists” (2004), “Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Issues in Education: Programs, Policies, and Practice” (2005), “Understanding Homosexuality, Changing Schools” (2000), and “Girls, Boys, and Junior Sexualities: Exploring Children’s Gender and Sexual Relations in the Primary School” (2005).

    What in the world is happening? Our children’s sexuality is not the business of public educators! Whatever happened to teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic? Good gracious!

    Nobody should be bullied or harassed — homosexual or heterosexual — ever. But schools shouldn’t be in the business of exploring the gender and sexuality of our children.

    This week, when my ballot arrives in the mail, I’ll be voting “no” on Referendum 71.

    FAIR BOOK SCANNING: Remember to bring photos from past Southwest Washington Fairs to the Lewis County Historical Museum from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for scanning and possible inclusion in a book about the fair’s first 100 years.

    Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, can be reached at memorybooks@chaptersoflife.com.