Affirm the legal rights behind Referendum 71

REFERENDUM 71 appears headed for the November ballot, so it falls to Washington voters to affirm the rights and responsibilities of same-sex couples passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Opponents of the law launched a petition drive to put the core legislation, Senate Bill 5688, into limbo. Their efforts to challenge the law are essentially a waste of time and tax dollars — a nuisance campaign.

Voter passage of Referendum 71 is now necessary to continue down a path of basic fairness and equality for registered domestic partners. This is about adults in committed relationships raising families, running businesses and owning property.

Creating, building and sustaining families is more than an affair of the heart. We live within the framework of the law. Senate Bill 5688 provides for unmarried heterosexual couples, with one partner over age 62, to set up housekeeping so they do not compromise retirement benefits and estate planning.

The law Referendum 71 puts before voters to approve is an affirmation of families and a recognition of the legal complexities that bind couples and households.

Washington state has been having this kind of conversation for years. Domestic partners have already been granted rights and decision-making prerogatives for hospital visitations, autopsies, organ donations and inheritance rights.

The evolution continued with more legal refinements and recognition in areas of probate and trusts, community property, guardianship and power of attorney.

The 114-page measure before voters as Referendum 71 is more of the nitty-gritty of intertwined lives and family responsibilities: public-employee pensions and survivor benefits, inheritance procedures and family legal rights.

The desire for this legal clarity comes from loving couples and parents raising children who eagerly seek the rights and responsibilities that go with such elemental relationships.

Washington's vote in November is a redundant affirmation of the considered efforts of the Legislature and governor, but is now necessary.

Red and blue states across America have changed their laws to end discrimination against gays and lesbians. They have adopted laws to acknowledge and respect any couples' legal rights and the responsibilities of family life.

Endorsement of Referendum 71 supports basic fairness and equality for all Washington families.