BG couple wins marriage equality campaign video contest

A Battle Ground same-sex couple with 8-year-old twins has won a video contest by Washington United for Marriage on “Why Marriage Matters” to same-sex couples, according to a new release today.

WUM is campaigning for “yes” votes on Referendum 74 to uphold the state Legislature’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Opponents of same-sex marriage, represented by Preserve Marriage Washington, gathered enough signatures to challenge the law on the Nov. 6 ballot.

About 60 families sent in submissions for the contest. The winner was selected through an online ballot, which drew 1,213 votes.

The winning family is JJ Flentke, 42-year-old physical therapist; Teresa Terry, a 52-year-old instructor at Portland Community College and their twins, Emma and Jacob.

In the video, Emma explains why it’s important to her family that Referendum 74 pass.

“We are your average American family,” Flentke said in a statement today. “We go to sports, dances, and participate in school events. We belong to the PTA. Our children deserve to have their mother’s commitment to one another recognized like their friend’s parent’s marriages already are.“

–Paris Achen