Since the Washington state legislature voted to legally recognize same-sex marriage in February, opponents have collected enough signatures to require a November referendum vote and block the legislation from going into affect tomorrow, June 7. On Wednesday, June 6, the group Preserve Marriage Washington presented more than 200,000 signatures to the state.
Joseph Blackholm, chairman of Preserve Marriage Washington
“The current definition of marriage works and has worked,” said Joseph Backholm, the chair of Preserve Marriage Washington to the Associated Press.
The public vote, called Referendum 74, would block SB6239 and prohibit the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in the state. Pending review by state officials over the next week, this referendum would be on the November ballot for Washington citizens.
Only 120,577 are required for the measure to be put on the ballot, but extra signatures ensure there are no duplicates or invalid signatures. Seattle’s Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Auxilary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo Almaguer asked Catholic parishes to be involved in gathering signatures for the petition in a 1,000-word letter.
“It’s painful, it’s exhausting, and it’s heartbreaking to think that other people feel it’s all right to vote away another person’s rights, especially a minority group, such as gay and lesbian couples,” said Charlene Strong, Washington State Human Rights Commissioner.
Domestic partnerships have been recognized in Washington since 2007, and in 2009, there was an “everything but marriage” expansion to that law.
Photo: heraldnet.com
