Learn About Referendum 71 in Washington State
Novemeber 2009 Choose to Approve or Deny Domestic Partnership Rights
Oct 15, 2009
Referendum 71 is a bill that—if approved— will “expand the rights, responsibilities and obligations accorded state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses, except that a domestic partnership is not a marriage” as paraphrased by Wikipedia.
Since governor Gregoire signed the expansion of domestic partnership rights in May of 2009, there have been numerous lawsuits and actions taken by private groups to prevent referendum 71 from appearing on voter ballots. These oppositions were overruled by the court system therefore; voters will be asked to approve or reject the bill November 2009.
Will the Approval of Referendum 71 Destroy the Meaning of Marriage?
No. Marriage is and will continue to be defined as a holy union between a man and a woman. Registered domestic partnerships are not recognized as marriages. Instead, registered domestic partnerships merely grant committed same sex partners and their families the same protections, rights and responsibilities under law as married couples.
Marriage is forbidden unless it is between a man and a women; the sacrament of marriage remains intact whether or not referendum 71 is approved. Instead, equality before the law will be extended to committed couples; American, Washington state citizens that believe in the constitution’s declaration: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” If anything, the approval of referendum 71 will fortify marriage and reaffirm the livelihood of American equality and democracy.
Injustices Toward Committed Partners That Referendum 71 Amend:
Many people do not realize that same sex partners—regardless of how long the two people have been in a committed relationship— are not allowed to make critical medical care decisions for their significant other’s; resulting in numerous preventable deaths. Adding insult to injury, same sex partners are denied the ability to make funeral arrangements for their loved ones after he or she has passed.
Same sex partners are also denied the privilege of staying at their partner’s bedsides for the night at hospitals. Even if the partner is likely to die, their significant other is made to leave and will not be notified by the hospital if the patient’s health becomes worse or close to death.
Any law that describes economic or social security benefits between married partners, or grants and protects the rights of married couples are currently denied to domestic partnerships in Washington. The rejection of this bill will deny American citizens the same rights as their brothers and sisters. The approval of Referendum 71 will merely allow two committed people who are in love the full and equal protection in the eyes of the law. In November 2009 Washington state voters will decide whether or not referendum 71 should be approved.
