Referendum 71 Rally in Seattle
On November 3, 2009, State of Washington registered voters will have the option to say “Nay” or “Yae” on Referendum Measure No. 71 put forth by the state legislature as “Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5688.” The efforts by LGBTQ community and business supporters have been tremendous!
This bill was approved as a vote-upon referendum to allow state residents the choice of approving or rejecting current state laws affording domestic same-sex unions and senior (62 and over) heterosexual domestic partnerships the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples.
There are currently over 12,000 domestic unions registered in the state of Washington since the law’s inception in 2007, and refined thereafter in 2009 to include many (if not all) of the same legal rights heterosexual married couples have always enjoyed, including non-discrimination workplace laws protecting Gay and Lesbian individuals, partnerships, families and straight seniors in committed relationships.
But support for or against the Ref. 71 proposal has drawn distinct state cultural lines in the sand: The Western half of Washington State is far more approve-Ref. 71, while the Eastern half is far reject--Ref. 71. However, one of the state’s largest employers, Microsoft Corp., is noted publicly as contributing $100,000 to the LGBTQ supported organization, Washington Families Standing Together (WAFST). Clearly, there is great support from some of the state’s most prominent employers.
The WAFST Campaign Manager, Josh Friedes, stated recently in the Seattle Gay News: “Referendum 71 is too close to call. The campaign and the community must do everything we can to approve Referendum 71.” In early and mid October, one of Friedes’ WAFST campaign volunteers, Josh Castle, organized a Ref. 71 Seattle Gay Bar Crawl to get as many Gay, Lesbian and heterosexual friends of LGBTQ folks registered.
With such an outpouring of professionally organized major support to approve Referendum 71, California and Maine may be able learn a lesson here.
For more info: Seattle Out and Proud/Seattle Pride; National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; and Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Washington State
Comments
Actually it wasn't the legislature that put this question to the voters, it was a group of radical-right religious extremists. In fact the legislature rejected an amendment the SB 5688 that would have mandated a referendum.
Support for Referendum 71 (and thus the domestic partnership law) is actually pretty strong East of the Cascades, according to polls released just this week. True support is stronger on the West side, but don't sell the East side short - Eastsiders very much value personal liberty and treating all families fairly.
One pitfall to watch out for: don't assume that support for domestic partnerships will translate into a vote to approve Ref. 71. Talk to your friends and make sure they know how important it is to vote "approved". In this off-year election, every vote will count. More info and volunteer opportunities at Approve71.org.
Voting on a human being's rights is ungodly and immoral.
We should all be ashamed of ourselves for this. What a crappy time to be a human. History will not look kindly upon us.
Thanks, Lurleen, for the insightful response to my article. While overall there are ideological differences that separate the Eastern Cascades from the West, there's no diminishing the hard work and strong voices such as yours being heard across the state regarding Ref. 71. Yes, it is unfortunate that a small contingent of anti-Gay religious groups have forced the state senate to create Ref. 71 in the first place, but overall the latest polls statewide are for keeping human rights intact. It's not just a Gay/Lesbian issue--it's all of Washington's issue to fight for what is a basic human recognition. It is sad to say that we still have to argue for politicians to settle what are rightfully human conditions. However, there will always be those people who are blinded by a faith or religion they believe speaks for all, and then somehow gain too strong of a voice that reeks of ignorance. Remember: these voiced powers only gain strength by the lack of a voice in opposition. Thank you again.
I understand your anger, Bill. I look at the glass half full with most things in life, so I see this as one more event in history in which people need to stand up for all. Unfortunately, this is not a new political concept or move in the US. With enough oppression and discrimination comes opposition and change (albeit slow). People have been fighting, for example, the Christian churches' philosophy of power and control over culture for centuries. If we look at history, there have been revolutions against Christian ideology worldwide (other religions as well). Mind you, I am not slamming anyone's faith here. It is a known historical fact, however, that these kinds of needs for control over culture often arise from many inward fears the church has when it believes it cannot ultimately control everyone. While the reality is that some faith-based groups advocate for controlling human rights, it is also ironic and pathetic that "faith" would be smeared in this way. Thank you for your voice.
Bill, if you read this, it is wrong that there has to be a vote. But consider yourself lucky that you live now instead of fifty years ago. History will look kindly upon us on this issue because we will be the generation that rights these wrongs.
Great article Mr. Hanley! You underscore some very important points here that everyone needs to be aware of. I too wrote on this topic and I am hoping that 71 passes by a lot so that the debate can end. Keep up the great writing and continue to fight the good fight.
Actually, it is time that we began recognizing that many churches are "coming along!" My church, The First Congregational United Church of Christ in Everett, Wa, is open and affirming and has been so for over ten years. Many other denominations are getting there - the ELCA Lutherans being the most recent. We have been pushing 71 in our newsletters and our mailings for months! So, don't be all down on churches - I get so tired of being lumped with evangelical/fundamentalist Christians who are loud and nasty while we are just down the street, open and affirming, and growing. Not just with the GLBTQ community either. People often come to our church because of our openness because that is the way they feel too and they are delighted to discover there are other Christians that feel that way too. Thanks for letting me "soapbox" for a few minutes!
Many people are falling away from God and the Bible. People are in rebellion and unbelief of God. The Bible is the most authenticated and truthful book in existence.
We have had a successful country, from an economic and social standpoint, when we were fearing God and following His commandments. And, now...we believe that the God who made us and everything we see, will look the other way as if His laws don't matter.
What most people in our state have forgotten is that God is in control. And, if we don't fear Him, disaster will come. He can change everything we have taken for granted in an instant if He wants to.
Jesus wants all of us to come to Him, repent and believe. He does not want to lose anyone. And, if we continue to sin, then we may not be assured of a future life with God. It's hard enough to not sin as a Christian, let alone ignoring the sin He calls an abomination; homosexuality. "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination" Leviticus 18:
Kathy, cut that out. Someone being gay and loving another gay person isn't going to go away, and they love each other so stop that. If you have a problem with it, there is something you should be asking yourself personally on why you do.
Also: the bible has been edited and re-edited for hundreds of years. People having been using the bible as an excuse for racism, apartheid, abuse against women, and slavery.
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