Larry Stickney of Arlington arrived at the Secretary of State’s office at about 12:30 p.m., plunked down $5 and filed paperwork for a referendum to repeal a law that’s not quite on the books.
It’s the one that Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to sign in the next two weeks granting same-sex domestic partners all the rights and benefits the state now offers married couples.
Though she’ll still sign it, it will be suspended pending the outcome of the referendum effort.
Those seeking to repeal Senate Bill 5688 must turn in signatures of 120,577 valid voters to the Secretary of State by July 25 to qualify for the Nov. 3 ballot.
Stickney is president of the Washington Values Alliance, which is part of a coalition of opposition made up of churches and religious and social conservative groups. Among them are the Faith and Freedom Network, Family Policy Institute of Washington and Christian Coalition.
Stickney spoke curtly to reporters today, promising a press release from the coalition will come out later.
He said opponents consider the law effectively legalizes marriage for gays and lesbians in Washington.
Around the country same-sex marriage is “being achieved by judicial fiat,” he said. “This legislation kind of tees it up for that.”
Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, author of the legislation, predicted the effort would fail.
“While it’s regrettable that a referendum is being filed to undo the progress we made this session to treat gay and lesbian families the same as married families, I don’t believe that voters will decide in November to take away rights from anyone.” Murray said in a prepared statement.
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