Attempts to repeal Washington state’s marriage equality law aren’t faring well. Only 5,680 signatures—of the nearly 120,600 needed by June 6—have been collected, The Advocate reports.
Preserve Marriage Washington, a National Organization for Marriage-supported group, hopes to get 150,000 signatures to Referendum 74 on the ballot. Its passage would end gay marriage in Washington, even before it would begin.
With that said, the group began signature collection quickly. A judge only OKed ballot language a month ago. Preserve Marriage Washington would reportedly entertain hiring signature gatherers, according to the Seattle Times.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, in an interview with The Advocate after the bill signing, was confident the gay marriage law would survive the repeal effort.
“I’m not really afraid,” Gregoire said. “We started with anti-discrimination, moved to domestic partnership, moved to the ballot, and now this is our final step toward equality.”
Of course, as EdgeBoston.com reported, marriage equality opponents are going full steam ahead. Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle—not surprisingly—announced support of Referendum 74, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Archbishop J. Sartain and Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, who are collecting signatures, believe banning gay marriage is important and denying same-sex couples marriage isn’t discriminatory. Sartain and Elizondo outlined their views in a letter.
“Treating different things differently is not unjust discrimination. Marriage can only be between a man and a woman because of its unique ends, purpose and place in society.”
State Sen. Ed Murray, a gay Catholic Democrat, was among the gay marriage bill’s chief sponsors. Murray didn’t mince words.
“To use church resources, in advancing a measure that promotes discrimination, is incredibly disappointing,” Murray said. “As a gay person, and a Catholic, I can understand their refusal to perform (gay) marriages. Using the church in promoting a referendum is very disappointing.”
Photo: access.wa.gov
