New Poll Projects R-71 as Barely Passing; Supporters Call for Help
Despite an endorsement list that would seemingly take weeks to read, and opponents who argue against gay partnerships by accusing them of causing manufacturing delays at Boeing, it looks like Referendum 71 faces a tight battle this fall. (In case you haven't been paying attention, R-71 is a referendum on the legislature's domestic partnership law, which extends to gay and lesbian couples (and hetero domestic partners over 62) the rights of marriage under Washington law.)
The coalition Approve R-71 announced that a poll it commissioned (via the firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner) found that only 51% of likely voters intend to vote for the measure, while 44% intend to vote against it, and 5% are undecided. The group isn't releasing demographic breakdowns yet, says spokesperson Josh Friedes.
While there have been a lot of worries about wrong-way voters (if you support the domestic partnership law, you probably opposed having R-71 on the ballot, but you'll want to vote "Approve" to retain the law), Friedes says the relative closeness of the race is due more to low turnout in off-year elections, where those who do turn out tend to be more conservative. (By contrast, a 2008 Washington Poll (pdf) that didn't look at likelihood of voting found that 66% of Washington voters support full domestic partnership rights for gays and lesbians.)
"Everybody needs to mail in their ballots and talk to their friends and family about the importance of Referendum 71, and also about the problem of off-year elections. Our biggest concern is that people will look around at their friends and family and think, 'Everyone I know believes that all families deserve basic protection; I don't even need to vote.'"
Friedes said that the campaign needs help, especially in light of the short campaign, with the measure not being confirmed for the ballot until early September, and ballots going out in mid-October. "We need more phone bankers, more money." And, noting that among the rights on the line is the right to take leave from work to care for a critically ill partner, he added, "It's a very serious situation."
9 comment(s)
Pheeew! Crack! Boom! says:
Just a reminder everyone: remember to vote APPROVE on Referendum 71 in order to keep the domestic partnership law and protect Washington families.
Posted On: Tuesday, Sep. 22 2009 @ 7:14PM
Anonymous says:
Be sure to vote no to protect the traditional definition of marriage and to protect decency and Washington families.
Posted On: Wednesday, Sep. 23 2009 @ 2:16PM
APPROVE 71 says:
APPROVE Referendum 71. Gay couples deserve the exact rights heterosexual couples have.
http://tinyurl.com/poc4h5
Posted On: Wednesday, Sep. 23 2009 @ 3:27PM
Lurleen says:
Spread the word that people need to vote APPROVED on R-71. Check out Approve71.org to see how you can help.
It'll be a squeaker, but with YOUR help we can make sure ALL Washington families are protected.
Posted On: Thursday, Sep. 24 2009 @ 9:17AM
Lonnie says:
Please forward widely…
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend October 10 – 11, 2009
Seattle OUTProtest has brought together a grassroots coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people and organizations to organize a series of solidarity events to coincide with the National March for Equality this October.
March and Rally
Forty years after the Stonewall Rebellion, we march in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and allies in Washington, DC to demand equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and to show our public support for the Approval of Referendum 71 here in Washington state.
Sunday, October 11
2:00 pm: Volunteer Park, 10th Ave E & E Prospect
5:00 pm: Rally, Federal Courthouse, 7th & Stewart
Thinking Queerly: Community Workshops on LGBT Issues
Community organizers and activists will present a series of workshops on a range of issues affecting the lgbt community including Stonewall and lgbt movement history, homelessness, hate crimes and self defense, lgbt health, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, lgbt legal issues, Gay-Straight Alliances, marriage equality, and more.
Saturday, October 10
9:30 am to 5 pm
Piggot Auditorium, Seattle University
HIV/AIDS Vigil
As the AIDS pandemic nears its fourth decade, we gather to educate and raise awareness about the continued struggles of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, friends, and support networks as well as to demand all resources and all funding necessary for prevention, treatment, and a cure.
Saturday, October 10
Starting at 6 pm
Seattle Central Community College South Plaza, Broadway & E Pine
Generation Q Mega Mixer
Come mingle and mix with seasoned leaders and activists of the GLBTQ community at the Generation Q Mega Mixer. Young leaders (25 and under please) will have the opportunity to socialize, learn from, and quite possibly have a dance off with some of the community's most inspiring members in a relaxed social environment.
Sunday, October 11
6:30 pm
Sole Repair Shop, 1001 E Pike
Seattle LGBT Equality Weekend March & Rally
http://nationalmarch.seattleoutprotest.org/
Get involved with one of our planning committees! Contact for more time and details:
March/Rally Committee, March@seattleoutprotest.org
Workshops Committee, Workshops@seattleoutprotest.org
Outreach Committee, Outreach@seattleoutprotest.org
Mixer Committee, Mixer@seattleoutprotest.org
HIV/AIDS Vigil Committee, Vigil@seattleoutprotest.org
Biweekly General Organizing Meetings, please contact whitney@seattleoutprotest.org for time and location.
National Equality March: Equality Across America
www.equalityacrossamerica.org
Endorsed by Seattle Gay News, Washington Families Standing Together, Radical Women, Queer Ally Coalition, International Socialist Organization, Socialist Alternative, Freedom Socialist Party, Gay City Health Project, Entre Hermanos, Cascades Rainbow Community Center/Skagit, Seattle OUTProtest, Community to Community Development, Bellingham, Sub Pop Records, 5th District Democrats (www.5thdems.org), American Friends Service Committee, Inlaws & Outlaws and the True Stories Project, Pride at Work, Washington Jobs with Justice - MLK, Seattle Education Association, Out in Tacoma, Rainbow Center of Tacoma, Queer Kidz, Temple B'Nai Torah, PFLAG Olympia, Amnesty International, Metropolitan Community Church - Seattle, Center for MultiCultural Health, Washington Marriage Alliance, The Backpack Project, A.N.S.W.E.R., Party for Socialism and Liberation, PFLAG - Olympia, The Queer Foundation, PFLAG - Bellevue
Approve Referendum 71
Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
Posted On: Sunday, Sep. 27 2009 @ 12:48PM
SKrose says:
I did not get a chance to vote in the "R-71" poll. If I had it would have been REJECTED!!!
Posted On: Monday, Sep. 28 2009 @ 4:56PM
ericka valladolid says:
Homosexuals have the exact same rights as heterosexuals. Every enumerated right, in the bill of rights and the constitution has been applied equally to homosexuals and heterosexuals. These same sex activists have invented a synthetic victim grievance, in the hopes of convincing the uninformed to follow their cause.
Homosexuals are free to marry anyone of the opposite sex they want. Somehow that translates into a violation of their civil rights because they can not marry who they want.
These activists ask why should two people who love each other be denied marriage?
Simple, I love my mother, brother ,sister and my dog. And all love me back equally. My rights are being trampled on because I cant marry my mother, brother, or my dog. Right?
Equal marriage rights for all, correct? That means ALL that want to be married. Clearly the current laws also prohibit certain heterosexual marriages, and that can not be denied.
No civilization has succeeded that had condoned same sex marriage. It does not work, and history has proven it. Try and name a civilization that condoned same sex marriage and flourished. There is NONE.
Next time one of these activists tells you they are born that way, smile, biology proves different.
If homosexuals were somehow born that way because of genetics, remember this, homosexuals overwhelmingly do NOT have biological replacements. Several scientists have estimated that 80% of homosexuals each generation do not have biological children.
That means 80% are lost each generation. If homosexuality was natural or a person was born that way, homosexuality would have died off centuries ago. With an 80% fitness cost , if homosexuality was genetic, it would soon be gone in a few generations.
Gone, like the much heralded Sf zoo "gay" penguin who has soon as a female penguin came along moved in with her.
Lastly, if homosexuality is is innate and immutable as homosexuals claim, why then are there tens of thousands of ex-gays???(Ann Heche comes to mind) And how many million part time gays, or bi-sexuals?
Does anyone know of a former White, or Hispanic? Race is immutable and innate. Homosexuality is not innate.
Posted On: Wednesday, Sep. 30 2009 @ 1:51AM
Anonymous says:
Vote REJECT on R-71. GBLT (or whatever they call themselves) has raised over 10 times the amount of $$$$ than PMW. This shows evem with little finances we can make the referendum not pass. Keep praying and we shall prevail and take Washington from the radical homosexuals who want to redefine marriage and impose their immoral values upon everyone.
Posted On: Monday, Oct. 12 2009 @ 12:30AM
Kevin says:
At least the non-R71 campaign is running an honest one. And not running TV ads lying talking about R-71 allowing "Same-sex marriage".
The law says Domestic Partnership, not MARRIAGE. Yet, these moral-people think it's OK to lie to get a vote??
Explain that one "Anonymous"
Posted On: Friday, Oct. 16 2009 @ 6:15AM