Approval of Referendum 71 attracts broad community support

THE campaign to affirm the legal rights and responsibilities of all Washington families has attracted an impressive coalition of support.

Approval of Referendum 71 has been endorsed by the region's largest employers, civic groups, a spectrum of religious organizations, business and professional associations, labor unions and good-government groups.

All are drawn to the equal treatment for families at the heart of R-71, which will be on the November ballot. The measure seeks approval for a law already passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Senate Bill 5688 gives registered domestic partners the benefits, obligations and responsibilities that apply to traditional marriages. This is about a relationship between couples and their families and the state — all the various legal connections that interplay when couples establish households and raise families.

Passage of the referendum requires an affirmative vote. Supporters of equitable treatment for all Washington families must fill in their ballot to approve R-71.

Among those calling for approval are Boeing, Microsoft, Nike, Puget Sound Energy, RealNetworks and Vulcan Development. Other endorsements have come from The Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Washington State Bar Association and the Washington Association of Churches. Endorsements cover the state and cross the mountains.

As impressive as the coalition is for passage of R-71, it is no substitute for a strong turnout during an off-year election. An array of endorsements reinforces the importance of this thoughtful extension of the state's domestic-partnership law. Adoption of R-71 is still grounded in casting votes to approve its passage.