Political Story Re-Write

Referendum 71: An attack on marriage, or essential rights?

The debate over Referendum 71 grows more intense as the 2009 November general election approaches, and many Washington State University students have strong opinions about which way they will vote.

Referendum 71 is an attempt to overturn Senate Bill 5688, an “everything but marriage” law that grants registered domestic partners in Washington all rights, obligations, and responsibilities granted or imposed by the state of Washington on married couples.

Opponents of SB 5688 collected 137,881 signatures and now Referendum 71 will appear on the ballot in the November general election, allowing state voters to determine whether or not the bill will be passed. With thousands of domestic partnerships already registered in Washington, the Referendum has been propelled to the forefront of a statewide debate that has stirred up liberal and conservative supporters on both sides.

“Voting yes on Referendum 71 and approving the senate bill means maybe being able to have a domestic partnership myself,” said Jordan Seider, a senior accounting major and treasurer of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies program of Washington State University. “It’s definitely on the steps towards the rights we deserve.”

Although SB 5688 has been dubbed the “everything but marriage” bill, many people opposed to it feel that if it is approved by state voters and enacted into law it will eventually pave the way for gay marriage in the state of Washington.

“Look, I just believe that marriage is something that should only be between a man and woman,” said Phil Gannon, a senior construction management major and opponent of SB 5688. “I know they say that the bill is not really about gay marriage, but really it’s just one more step towards something that I don’t agree with.”

Supporters of SB 5688 maintain that voting yes on Referendum 71 is not really about marriage at all, and merely establishes rights that should have already been established.

“They’re saying that it is defining marriage, and we’re saying that it’s giving rights that should have already been given,” Seider said. “It’s not about marriage at all.”

Conservative opponents of the bill also argue that the law’s cost would be too high, with an additional $2.6 million for state employee pension survivor benefits and an additional $1.1 million for worker compensation and victim claim benefits alone.

“I haven’t really heard much about the cost of it [approving Referendum 71],” said Sara Schelley, a senior at WSU who described herself as neutral towards the bill. “With the recent recession and stuff though I can see how that could be an issue.”

Referendum 71 will appear on the November 2009 general election ballot at which time state voters will determine the fate of SB 5688 and the future of domestic partnerships in Washington.

Sources

Jordan Seider [This interview was done in person at the Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center]

jdseider@wsu.edu

Phil Gannon

pjgannon@wsu.edu

(509)869-4026

Sara Schelley

sschelley@wsu.edu

(425)444-0684

Outline:

Headline

What is R-71?