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50,000 signatures against gay marriage

May 2, 2012 @ 5:08 pm (Updated: 5:37 pm - 5/2/12 )

The group trying to overturn Washington's marriage equality law has half as many signatures as they hoped to have by May, but they're confident they'll have enough support to let voters decide on same-sex marriage.

In February, Governor Chris Gregoire signed legislation that allows gay couples to marry. As she signed the bill, Chris Gregoire said, "It's a day historians will mark as a milestone for equal rights when we did what was right, just and fair and did it together, Republicans and Democrats, gay and straight, young and old."

The law becomes effective June 6, unless 120,577 valid signatures can be gathered to put Referendum 74 on the November ballot.

PreservePreserve Marriage Washington has 51,532 signatures in support of the referendum, with a little over a month to go. If they make the deadline, voters will decide whether to approve or reject the state's marriage equality law.

"There is a huge demand for petitions and that's very encouraging," says Chris Plante, with the Preserve Marriage campaign. "Folks in Washington understand that this bill crosses a line. It's not about equality. It's about redefining marriage."

Plante says about 1,400 churches have committed to gathering petition signatures. That number does not include Catholic churches in Western Washington, some of which are making petitions available to sign after services.

"Every Monday and Tuesday we get scores more petitions," Plante says.

There are about 100,000 petitions in circulation right now, and each can hold 20 names. He expects the pace of the campaign will ramp up and they will make the June 6 deadline.

MarriageOn the other side, marriage equality supporters are proceeding as if there will be a ballot issue in November to contend with.

Zach Silk with Washington United for Marriage, says it's "surprising" they don't have more signatures by now.

"It makes me wonder how strong their grassroots operation is," says Silk. "I'd imagine that they will spend heavily on paid signature gathering in the final month to boost their numbers and blow by their stated 150,000 goal."

By LINDA THOMAS

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Comments (12)


  • Add A Comment

  • ron prevost wrote...
    REFERENDEM 74 refers approval to the voters, not (necessarily) against gay marriage.
    May 2, 2012 4:48 pm
    A little misunderstanding in this blog headline. The initiative and referendum processes in Washington state are similar, but a little different. ............ As gay marriage has been already approved by the legislature, a referendum may be petitioned by the voters of the state to vote to approve or reject. That being THE question. It is confusing in that the Referendum 74 simple repeats what has already been passed (and I do know of a few people who thought 74 was PRO gay marriage). Referendums, however, by their very nature are NEITHER pro nor con. .. Further complicating is that the legislature COULD HAVE referred a referendum directly to the people. Again, neither endorsing nor urging rejection. .................... ......................... What IS against gay marriage is INITIATIVE 1192. This seeks to overturn the law as written and IS definitely against gay marriage.
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  • Citizen of Krazy Town wrote...
    How many are "against gay marriage"
    May 2, 2012 5:32 pm
    And how many are "against Queen Christine making personal laws".

    The people passed the "same as marriage" initiative after spanking her for being presumptive. The people can prevail again. Using an antagonistic headline only serves to bring out the militant faction that wish ill will on anyone who signed the petition.

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  • shivermetimbers wrote...
    Vote YES on..
    May 2, 2012 5:35 pm
    No gay marriage. Marriage is for heterosexuals. Gays can go find their own word for being unhappy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shivermetimbers wrote...
    Vote YES on..
    May 2, 2012 5:35 pm
    No gay marriage. Marriage is for heterosexuals. Gays can go find their own word for being unhappy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    Honestly, this vote will do nothing
    May 2, 2012 7:21 pm
    If it gets on the ballet and the people vote to not allow gay marriage, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will rule it is unconstitutional to take away gay marriage by a vote of the people just as they have ruled in the past. So this is just another waste of tax payer dollars.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    agreed Rick
    May 2, 2012 7:43 pm
    thanks for the constitution for always siding with equality over intolerance.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    People of the Government, for the Government, with Liberalty.....
    May 2, 2012 10:26 pm
    and Sodomy for all. Amen
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Integrator wrote...
    looks like the voters are already deciding
    May 3, 2012 7:02 am
    By doing the right thing, and not signing on to this ignorance. Marriage is a civil agreement between two people, we would never say that two people of the same sex can't start a business together, or co-sign on loans. That's all it amounts to, unless YOU bring gods into YOUR marriage, and that's individual choice.
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    YOU bring gods into YOUR marriage, and that's individual choice.
    May 3, 2012 11:11 am
    Actually it is GOD. And yes we do want to keep GOD in marriage. Not remove God as this government, run by Liberals, wants to do simply for the votes.

    God made and recognizes marriage as between ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN. It is NOT up to Obama to recognize same sex unions as marriage.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    sorry haha
    May 3, 2012 2:45 pm
    but the government has never recognized one religion or even one GOD. This dates back to the bill of rights.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SgtFatso wrote...
    Sign The Petition
    May 3, 2012 7:07 pm
    Where do you sign up? The homosexuals are trying to take over. It needs to be like it use to be. Do your thing but stay out of the public eye. Really good for our children to see such decadent behavior between adults. We are suppose to be their teachers. Great job the homosexuals are doing. They do not care about the morals we are teaching our children. They should be ashamed but their day of judgement is coming.
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  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @SgtFatso
    May 3, 2012 7:56 pm
    Lets see homosexuals are teaching our children that when two people love each other they want to marry. While hetersexual people are teaching their kids to hate people that love each other. Don't even start with morals as hetersexuals moral are no better than homosexuals.
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