HeraldNet: With Gregoire set to sign "everything but marriage" law, foes organize online



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The Petri Dish

May 18, 2009

With Gregoire set to sign "everything but marriage" law, foes organize online

Posted at 8:27 am by Jerry Cornfield

This morning, in Seattle, Gov. Chris Gregoire intends to sign legislation making same-sex domestic partnerships much more equivalent but not quite equal to married heterosexual couples.

It will take effect July 25 unless opponents of the law succeed in qualifying Referendum 71 for the ballot. This referendum is intended to repeal it.

Early today - before the scheduled 10:30 a.m. signing - those opponents announced their presence online at a site they are calling Protect Marriage Washington.

There are no surprises -- and maybe a few unknowns - - among the list of endorsers. One of the biggest names added in the last few days is the Knights of Columbus, which could be an early source of much-needed revenue for gathering signatures and running a campaign.

In its resolution of support, the national group contends the new law will cause three members of the state Supreme Court to "defect" from their opposition to legal marriage for same-sex couples laid out in a 2007 case. (see the full resolution below).

Meanwhile, opponents can't start gathering signatures yet. In fact, they don't have an approved petition, yet. By the end of today or tomorrow the Attorney General's Office will issue a ballot title and ballot summary. Then the clock starts on a five-day period in which the title and summary can be challenged. Add it up and it will likely be next week before any petitions are circulated.

Here's the Knights of Columbus resolution as posted online by the proponents of the referendum:

Whereas, The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2357) states, that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered," and "contrary to the natural law." "Under no circumstances can they be approved."

Whereas, recognizing its many social benefits, society has long licensed marriage between husband and wife, and has granted such unions privileges and prerogatives.

Whereas, in passing SB 5688 last month, the legislature in Olympia states repeatedly that "marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships." The legislature would thus put the sin against nature on an equal footing legally with the venerable and sacred institution of marriage between one man and one woman.

Whereas, in Anderson, et. al. v. State of Washington (2006) the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was upheld by a 5-4 margin in the Washington State Supreme Court.

three members of that majority are expected to defect after final enactment of SB 5688. Under this widely expected sequence of events, the State Supreme Court would soon overturn DOMA, and would mandate the issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Whereas, the Knights of Columbus nationally and locally are duty bound to defend traditional marriage in American society and culture,

Therefore, be it resolved: Council 1379 of the Knights of Columbus endorses Referendum 71, filed in Olympia on May 4, 2009, in order to overturn SB 5688.