Gay foes filed paperwork Monday to
begin the referendum process on an expansion to Washington state's
domestic partnership law, delaying the start of the law.
Governor Chris Gregoire has yet to sign
the “everything but marriage” bill but has said she supports the
measure.
The law was expected to take effect on
July 26 but will now have to wait until after opponents file their
final paperwork. If opponents gather the 120,500 voter signatures
required to qualify for the ballot by July 25, the law is delayed
until the results of the November election are known.
The Democratically-controlled House
approved the bill last month that grants gay and lesbian couples all
the rights and benefits that the state offers married couples except
the name.
The Washington Supreme Court has upheld
the legality of a state law that bans gay marriage. Opponents of the
domestic partnership expansion say it redefines marriage and violates
the law.
Leading the effort are the conservative
groups Faith and Freedom Network and Washington Values Alliance and
Faith.
“The bill … elevates homosexual
relationships to that of traditional marriage, thus eliminating any
legal difference between domestic partnerships and marriage,” Gary
Randall, president of the Faith and Freedom Network, wrote in a blog
entry posted on the group's website.
Opponents might be facing an uphill
battle. Polling shows anti-gay sentiment has greatly diminished in
Washington state. A recent national ABC News/Washington Post
poll shows a large majority (67%) of respondents support legal
recognition of gay unions – including domestic partnerships and
civil unions.