This is what we like to see. In Washington State, the campaign to Approve Referendum 71 (the everything but marriage law) has support from a very broad and far-reaching coalition of groups and entities all across the state:
Approval of Referendum 71 has been endorsed by the region's largest employers, civic groups, a spectrum of religious organizations, business and professional associations, labor unions and good-government groups.It sucks to have our rights voted on by the public. There's just something that feels so wrong about that. But, if there's a flip side to the anti-gay forces trying to strip our rights at the ballot box, it's that we really do get to see who are friends are. In Washington State, we have a lot of allies.
All are drawn to the equal treatment for families at the heart of R-71, which will be on the November ballot. The measure seeks approval for a law already passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire.
Senate Bill 5688 gives registered domestic partners the benefits, obligations and responsibilities that apply to traditional marriages. This is about a relationship between couples and their families and the state — all the various legal connections that interplay when couples establish households and raise families.
Passage of the referendum requires an affirmative vote. Supporters of equitable treatment for all Washington families must fill in their ballot to approve R-71.
Among those calling for approval are Boeing, Microsoft, Nike, Puget Sound Energy, RealNetworks and Vulcan Development. Other endorsements have come from The Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Washington State Bar Association and the Washington Association of Churches. Endorsements cover the state and cross the mountains.
The website for Approve Referendum 71 is here. The campaign needs resources. Donate here. I just gave my $71.
