Washington State Referendum 71 Update
July 21, 2009
Opponents of a recently enacted domestic partnership law in Washington State continue to fight to put the issue on the ballot for possible repeal. We learned this week that they have made an appointment with Secretary of State, Sam Reed, for this Saturday, July 25, at 2 p.m. In order to qualify for the November ballot our opponents must submit 120,577 valid signatures. The bill expanding that state’s existing domestic partnership law was originally signed on May 18, by Washington Governor Chris Gregoire. This expansion would provide qualified gay and lesbian couples all of the rights and responsibilities that Washington conveys to married couples. That law was passed by the state Senate on March 10, and the state House on April 15, and is scheduled to take effect this Sunday, July 26. But now the enactment may be delayed thanks the group Protect Marriage Washington which is spearheading the signature collection drive to put a repeal on November’s ballot. Our friends at Washington Families Standing Together have been hard at work with a public education “decline to sign” campaign and remind all of our Washington members and supporters that it’s not too late to spread the word to family, friends, and colleagues – Don’t Sign A Petition In Support of Referendum 71! If you live in Washington, sign our pledge and tell 5 others to sign and stand with you in your commitment to equality for all Washington families.
