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DC: Supreme Court to Hear WA State Petitions Case on April 28th

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled an April 28 hearing on whether Washington state officials can release the names of signers of a ballot measure that sought to repeal a gay rights law. The court agreed to hear the case in January after Protect Marriage Washington appealed a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that ordered the release of nearly 138,000 signatures that put Referendum 71 on last fall’s ballot.

Referendum 71 asked voters to accept – or reject – a domestic partnership law approved by lawmakers that gives gay couples all the rights of marriage. Voters opted to keep the law.

Opponents say releasing the names would put signers at risk of harassment, reprisals and boycotts of their businesses, amounting to an unconstitutional infringement of free speech rights.

Full Story from On Top Magazine
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in domestic partner law, petitions, privacy, signatures, us supreme court, washington state | No Responses »

US: Supreme Court To Hear Referendum 71 Signature Case, Likely in April

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether the names of Washington voters who sign a petition to put a law on the ballot can be made public. The high court could hear the case of Doe v. Reed as early as April, taking up the fight over the names and addresses of people who signed petitions to put Referendum 71 on last year’s November ballot.

That referendum sought to overturn expanded rights for same-sex and elderly heterosexual couples. Supporters of gay rights filed a public records request for the names of everyone who signed the petitions; referendum sponsors objected, saying they feared the signers would be harassed.

A few hours after the nation’s high court announced it was adding the case to its schedule, a state legislative committee considered dueling bills spawned by the dispute. One would provide an exemption to the state’s Public Records Act for the names and addresses on initiative or referendum petitions; the other would state categorically that they are public records.

Full Story from the Spokesman-Review

Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in Gay Marriage, marriage equality, petitions, r71, referendum 71, same sex marriage, signatures, supreme court, wa, washington state | No Responses »

US: Referendum 71 Signature Case Decision Due by Mid January

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

John Doe vs. Sam Reed could well determine once and for all whether Washington’s Public Records Act, which seeks transparency of all government records, violates the First Amendment rights of voters who sign ballot petitions. The high court will decide at a Jan. 15 meeting whether to accept or reject the case and then announce later that day — or the following Monday, Jan. 18 — if it will hear arguments.

If justices take the case, attorneys representing the state and Protect Marriage Washington, which brought the original lawsuit, will likely argue before the court in April, with a decision likely by the end of June.

If the Supreme Court decides not to hear it, a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision allowing release of the names will take effect, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Full Story from the Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010627697_supremecourt30m.html

Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in disclosure, domestic partnership, Gay Marriage, privacy, public records, signatures, supreme court, wa, washington state | No Responses »

WA: Seattle Lawmaker to Introduce Public Record Bill for Referendum Signatures

Monday, December 7th, 2009

A Democratic state lawmaker from Seattle plans to pre-file a bill Monday for the 2010 legislative session that would clarify that signatures, names and addresses of people who sign initiatives and referendums are part of the public record. The issue of releasing names of people who sign referendums and initiatives surfaced earlier this year in the fight over the new “everything but marriage” law that expands rights for gay domestic partners in Washington state.

“I’m not sure how our state action might impact things,” Rep. Reuven Carlyle said in an e-mail. “But I feel it’s a vital piece of democracy to take a stand in favor of openness, transparency and access. One would assume a state Legislature’s view on an issue holds some consideration for the courts.”

Conservative groups circulated petitions to get a measure on last month’s ballot that attempted to block the new law. However the state’s voters upheld the new law through Referendum 71.

Full Story from Seattle PI: http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/187330.asp?from=blog_last3

Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in bill, domestic partnerships, Gay Marriage, public record, referendum, signatures, wa, washington state | No Responses »

WA: Too Soon for Gay Marriage Battle in Washington State, Both Sides Say

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

Those who opposed each other on Referendum 71 agree on one thing: Don’t look for gay marriage on a ballot in 2010. And don’t expect the Legislature to make it legal or a judge to decide the issue.

Leaders on both sides say it’s too soon to revisit the issue.

“I think we have to be engaged in a prolonged conversation with the people of Washington before we can achieve marriage equality. I think 2010 is too soon,” said Joshua Friedes, manager of the Approve R-71 campaign.

Full Story from HeraldNet: http://heraldnet.com/article/20091108/NEWS01/711089879

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in Gay Marriage, too soon, washington state | No Responses »

AP Calls Referendum 71 in Washington for Domestic Partnership Supporters

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Washington voters have approved the state’s new “everything but marriage” law, expanding rights for domestic partners and marking the first time any state’s voters have approved a gay equality measure at the ballot box.

With about 72 percent of the expected vote counted Thursday in unofficial returns, Referendum 71 was leading 52 percent to 48 percent, with a margin of about 60,000 votes.

Sen. Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat who spearheaded the law, called it “a great step forward for equality in Washington state.”

Full Story from AP: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hlGpneLaOG2koLv6cpbAJoCwS6jQD9BPNSL00

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resource in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in domestic partnerships, Gay Marriage, r71, referendum 71, wa, washington state | No Responses »

Referendum 71 in Washington Continues Slim Lead

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

When Referendum 71 qualified for the ballot a few months ago, it made gay and lesbian couples uneasy.

The ballot measure was going to allow voters to decide whether same-sex partners would get many of the same rights as married couples. Post-election ballot tallies were putting their fears to rest, with their cause holding a slim but steady statewide edge on Wednesday.

“This is a historic vote,” said Joshua Friedes, campaign manager for Approve 71. “It is the first time that any state has affirmatively voted to protect gay and lesbian families with a system of comprehensive legal protections.”

Full Story from HeraldNet: http://heraldnet.com/article/20091105/NEWS01/711059859

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in domestic partnership, r71, referendum 71, slim lead, wa, washington state | No Responses »

Washington State May Have Approved Domestic Partnership Bill by Narrow Margin

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Early figures from Washington state suggest that voters have opted to approve a new ‘everything but marriage’ measure for gay couples.

As yet, fewer than half of the votes have been counted and current support levels are at 52 per cent.

All but one of Washington’s counties vote by post, meaning that a final result may not be available until the end of the week.

Full Story from Pink News: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/04/early-numbers-suggest-washington-voters-approve-expanded-gay-rights/

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in domestic partnerships, r71, referendum 71, washington state | No Responses »

Referendum 71 Ahead 57% to 38% Among Washington's Likely Voters

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

The yearly Washington Poll shows the statewide Referendum 71 for gay couples’ rights passing one week before the Nov. 3 election, while Tim Eyman’s tax-limiting Initiative 1033 is trailing.

The poll was conducted by a social research school at the University of Washington that has a track record of correctly forecasting election results. Its poll shows:

R-71 is winning by a 56 percent to 39 percent margin among registered voters. The edge was 57-38 among likely voters; likely voters were those who have sent in ballots already or said they voted in November 2007.

Full Story from the Olympian: http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/1016921.html

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State .

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in domestic partnerships, Gay Marriage, poll, r71, referendum 71, washington state | No Responses »

Judge Refuses to Allow Referendum 71 Foes to Ignore Contribution Caps, Flood the Race With Money Last-Minute

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

R-71 is the ballot measure that asks Washington voters to approve or reject the state’s everything but marriage law. Washington Family PAC opposes the gay rights measure and last week sued in federal court to challenge two key Washington campaign finance laws. One requires campaigns to report the names, addresses and employers of donors. The other restricts contributions to 5-thousand dollars in the 21-days preceding the election. Washington Family argues those rules discourage participation in the political process. But that ship has sailed says Nancy Krier, attorney for Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission.

Nancy Krier: “To attempt to change all the rules of the game while these campaigns are ongoing and this close to the election is inappropriate.”

The judge agreed with the PDC and refused to issue a temporary restraining order. A trial on the merits of the case could still go forward after the election.

Full Story from KPLU: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1571215/KPLU.Local.News/Federal.Judge.Keeps.WA.Contribution.Caps

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources in Washington State.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Posted in Gay Marriage, r71, referendum 71, washington state | No Responses »

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