Pro- and anti-gay marriage crowds mix in Seattle

SEATTLE – Hundreds of pro-gay protesters tried to shout down religious leaders speaking against gay marriage to a crowd of thousands gathered at Safeco Field on Saturday.

Protesters gathered in the stands after chanting and waving signs at participants as they arrived for the rally.

About 20,000 to 25,000 people attended the “Mayday for Marriage” worship service and rally, organized by conservative Christian churches around the state in support of traditional marriage.

“This is a place where we’re taking a stand,” James Dobson, founder of the evangelical Christian group Focus on the Family, told the crowd. “If this (gay marriage) happens, the culture war is over and everything associated with it is lost.”

As participants arrived in busloads, they had to walk between sign-carrying protesters lining the sidewalk outside the stadium in this liberal city.

The gay-rights supporters exchanged views with rally participants as police officers worked to control the crowd.

Gay rights protesters showed up outside the stadium, waving signs and chanting, “Bigots go home!” as they marched. Police estimated the crowd at between 2,500 and 3,000 at its height. A 60-piece marching band performed and passing cars honked in support.

The gay-rights supporters exchanged views with rally participants as police officers worked to control the crowd. One man about 65 years old was arrested for obstructing when he refused to obey a police order, police said.

The event was slated as a rally and worship service including music and a choir.

“We believe marriage was designed for a man and a woman,” said Bill Hanford, 46, of Redmond. “We think the biblical concept of marriage is important and people should take a stand on that side of the argument as well as the one that’s in the media right now.”

Among the protesters was Jeffrey Steinberg, 52, carrying a sign that said, “Religious bigots love lies, not God! Bear your false witness elsewhere.”

“Unfortunately religion has often been a tool for hatred,” he said.

“I read the Bible and pray a lot. Christ accepted prostitutes and tax collectors who were at that time pretty low on the totem pole,” Steinberg said. “He never denounced homosexuality in any of the gospels.”

Morningstar McKay, 31, came from Everett with her husband and daughter to join the pro-gay rights protests.

“It just makes me really sad because it’s really come down to a separation between church and state,” she said. “If you fall in love with somebody you should be able to marry them no matter the circumstances.”

The Rev. Joseph Fuiten, pastor of the 5,000-member Cedar Park Assembly of God church in suburban Bothell, said local pastors wanted to publicize the importance of traditional marriage.

Fuiten said Saturday’s rally was planned over six weeks and churches in the state paid the Seattle Mariners $120,000 to rent the baseball stadium.

The Mariners, who operate the publicly owned ballpark, have taken no position on the gay marriage issue, said Rebecca Hale, public information director for the team.