WA: Ballot Language for R-74 Set

The ballot language for the upcoming referendum in Washington state on their marriage equality law has now been set, and happily is pretty matter-of-fact, devoid of any heterosexual supremacist or religious extremist messaging.

Read it for yourself:

Ballot Title
The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6239 concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law, and religious freedom, and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.

This bill would allow same-sex couples to marry, preserve domestic partnerships only for seniors, and preserve the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform, recognize, or accommodate any marriage ceremony.

Should this bill be:

Approved [ ]

Rejected [ ]

Ballot Measure Summary
This bill allows same-sex couples to marry, applies marriage laws without regard to gender, and specifies that laws using gender-specific terms like husband and wife include same-sex spouses. After 2014, existing domestic partnerships are converted to marriages, except for seniors. It preserves the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform or recognize any marriage or accommodate wedding ceremonies. The bill does not affect licensing of religious organizations providing adoption, foster-care, or child-placement.

Recent polls have shown that although public opinion is in favor of marriage equality in Washington State, some LGBT activists are nervous because support for Referendum 74 it is not as far ahead as to make the eventual result a foregone conclusion.