First Planning Meeting!
In March the Senate passed a bill that will grant gay couples all the rights of marriage without calling it marriage. Currently this bill is just out of committee and is expected to pass and have Governor Gregoire’s signature by the end of the month. This means that Washington State will have full marriage equality come June. But it is not time to exhale yet. A group calling themselves the Washington Values Alliance (WAVA) is currently working to put together an initiative that will not only overturn the ruling but also terminate all civil union/domestic partnership rights as well. They also bring with them three strong arm members of the right wing of Washington – namely WAVA President Larry Stickney, Bruce Crasswell and Stephen Pidgeon. During the board meeting we discussed that the signature gatherers will mainly concentrate their efforts in Eastern Washington where more conservative voters reside and where they will have an easier time collecting the signatures they need to put their measure on the ballot. It is therefore imperative that we educate voters on what they are signing. As an example, when Tim Eyman was trying to pass one of his many initiatives during the 2004 election cycle, some of his signature gatherers lied about what they were asking voters to sign and would only give vague answers as to the nature of the petitions. It is very possible that such tactics will be used to gather the signatures needed to put marriage equality on the ballot come election season. These tactics are misleading to voters and in many ways is immoral, unethical and illegal. It is essential that we make sure all voters know to press signature gatherers as to the nature of the petitions they ask us to sign and for whom they are gathering these signatures. If you don’t like their answers, don’t sign the papers.
Moreover, this means that the fight is coming here. We will have our own Prop 8 battle here in Washington State and with the way politics often happens here in this state we can expect to see a major throw down between those in solidarity to our cause and those against it. I would like to announce a shift in focus from the repeal Proposition 8 and Amendment 2 theme to a Legalize Marriage Equality in Washington theme for the contingent. Our first informational planning meeting is Wednesday, April 22nd at Cafe Vita on Capitol Hill. It’s near Neumos and next to the new location of The Cha Cha and Bimbos Burritos. There will be a follow up meeting Monday April 27 at the same location also at 7:30pm for those who cannot attend.
