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June 2, 2009 in News
Gay-rights group vows to publicize names of petition signers
Referendum 71 organizer calls tactic “intimidation”
OLYMPIA — Petitions are being printed today for Referendum 71, which asks voters to overturn a new law granting same-sex domestic partners many of the rights of spouses.
But those who sign the petitions may be in for a surprise. Some R-71 opponents have put up a Web site – www.whosigned.org – where they intend to post the names of all the required 120,577 signers.
“We think that it will help neighbors talk to each other,” said Brian Murphy, 45, a Seattle man who helped put up the site.
Referendum 71 organizers say the tactic is way over the line.
“It’s intimidation, there’s no question about it,” said Gary Randall, president of the Faith and Freedom Network, one of the groups backing the measure.
Randall scoffed at the idea that the site will help foster conversations over backyard fences.
“It’s a lie,” he said. “…They may want to get to know their neighbors who disagree with them, but not to have a friendly conversation.”
Murphy, who is gay, says it’s still undecided whether the Web site will list addresses. But he dismissed worries about harassment as overblown. Unlike a ballot, he said, “signing a petition is a public act.”
It’s signed in public, and the signature-gatherers and subsequent signers see your information, he said.
“It’s very clear that there’s no expectation of privacy there,” Murphy said. Also, he points out, the state has posted an online list of the thousands of couples who have become domestic partners.
But even some fellow opponents of the referendum are uncomfortable with the plan to publicize signers’ names.
“We did ask them not to put the site up,” said Josh Friedes, a spokesman for Equal Rights Washington. “I have concerns that the Web site can be perceived as hostile or intimidating, and that’s just not helpful.”
R-71 opponents, who recently organized as Washington Families Standing Together, are trying to make the case that the law protects loving, committed partners and their families.
“We think the Web site may make it harder to have these conversations,” Friedes said.
If organizers can get enough signatures by late July – which is by no means certain – R-71 is likely to be the highest-profile measure on the ballot. It asks voters to throw out a new law giving domestic partners virtually all the rights and responsibilities of married couples under state law.
Randall argues that would be de facto marriage. Proponents disagree, noting that another state law clearly specifies that marriage is only between a man and a woman.
The battle is likely to be expensive and emotional. Opponents of the measure say they’re planning for a $2 million to $3 million campaign if R-71 makes it on tothe ballot.
Similar battles in other states have led gay-rights groups to publicize the names of political donors and petition signers. The Massachusetts-based gay rights group Knowthyneighbor.org has posted more than half a million names of petition signers in Massachusetts, Florida and Arkansas.
“These petition signers need to stand behind their signatures and be responsible for this dehumanizing attack on the gay community,” Know They Neighbor’s director, Tom Lang, said in April. The group said it “expects that many petition signers will be confronted about their actions as their names are discovered on the Web site by family members, friends, coworkers, customers and acquaintances.”
Some donors to last year’s Proposition 8, a California ban on same-sex marriage, faced boycotts, stolen yard signs, and vandalism of their homes and cars.
“They’re still raw to what happened in California,” Randall said of some local Mormons helping with R-71. “They’re still being harassed to this day.”
State elections director Nick Handy said he’s unhappy with the idea of discouraging participation by publicizing names from the petitions.
“A vigorous debate on the issues is always welcomed, but efforts to intimidate or repress participation are not,” he said in a written statement. “It just doesn’t feel like the culture we have here in the state of Washington.”
The more than 10,000 petitions needed will include names, signatures and home addresses.
“Nobody is comfortable with releasing personal information in situations like this, but it (is) part of transparency in government,” said Handy. “We hope people will keep their cool.”
Murphy said he also hopes that the list can also be used to root out any cases of fraud. To confirm validity, the Secretary of State’s office typically checks only a small percentage – a few thousand signatures – against voter records.
And despite some strong criticism of the plan, Murphy said he has no intention of taking down the Web site. He understands the feedback from people who are urging a less confrontational approach, he said. But he feels the stakes – potentially losing hundreds of spouse-type rights in a statewide election in November – are too high to turn back.
“Imagine that it was your family’s rights that were being affected, and that you had to wait,” he said. “What would you do?”
Richard Roesler can be reached at (360) 664-2598 or at richr@spokesman.com. For more news from Olympia, please see www.eyeonolympia.com.
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crader1972 on June 02 at 4:53 p.m.
I wasn’t planning on signing the petition, but I don’t respond well to intimidation, so I guess you can count me in.
DocTom on June 02 at 4:54 p.m.
Let’s talk about violation of one’s privacy and promoting a basic hate crime position. It doesn’t require a genius to see where this hate will accelerate into retribution, violence, and more violence. Why can’t people just back off and let the initiative process be reflective with the voters? I grow tired of all the inconsiderate lack of civilized behavior - on both sides of this issue - that appears to be increasing. It is actions such as this that will solve nothing and allow more ill behavior to continue. Can’t we just back off and allow the democratic process dictate whatever the final outcome will be? Please!
otis43 on June 02 at 5:32 p.m.
i agree with thomas, but if that is what they wish to do, then the least we can do is answer back and publiize the names of any gays that we know so every one else wil also know who thy are. intimidation is a two way street, and can become very ugly. it seems when ever a minorty group wants some it allways revert to this type of tactic.
cryssT on June 02 at 6:28 p.m.
because of that kind of harassing attitude i will sign the petition so the CITIZENS of the State of Washington can VOTE on this issue.
MichaelBaker on June 02 at 6:29 p.m.
What’s the big deal - the names and addresses are already a matter of public record.
It like watching cockroaches scatter when you turn the light on.
I say shine a light on justice and fairness.
MichaelBaker on June 02 at 6:51 p.m.
And another thing, the first four comments above are all entries made by “Larry Stickney” - he’s trying to lead the conversation.
For those who are unaware of Larry’s involvement in this campaign here’s the truth:
Larry Stickney is a front man for Gary Randall of Oregon. The real purpose of this referendum (which they know will ultimately fail) is to generate money for Gary’s PAC in Oregon. It’s a money maker and they know - don’t let these fine gentleman take advantage of us Washingtonians. You can check the facts of the money trail via public state records.
The vast majority of Larry’s friends do not support his referendum effort (see here http://www.washblog.com/story/2009/5/5/134834/1359).
It’s only a cash maker for Larry and Gary.
Believing in Truth and Openness,
Michael D. Baker
Tacoma, WA
DocTom on June 02 at 7:18 p.m.
Mr. Baker is out of order, not to mention out of town. I can assure you sir that I am not in any way Mr. Stickney. Your brash behavior is not appreciated, nor is it truthful, or accurate. Tacoma is a good place for you.
crader1972 on June 02 at 7:38 p.m.
Truth and openness(rolls eyes), I also am not Mr. Stickney, do you want to debate or just try to discredit anybody who does not agree with you? I have an idea why don’t you stick to what you know and look for conspiracies in the shadows in Tacoma. Don’t be an ass.
andspd80 on June 02 at 9:23 p.m.
How sad that people put so much time and effort to try and take away rights from people when all that effort could and should be going to something so much more important like improving our schools, making our cities safer, helping people who have lost jobs and homes, helping homeless children, feeding hungry people and families. If I see one of the ballot takers here in I will, in a polite way, tell these people how just truly disgusting they are in going against everything that our countries constitution stands for.
By the way, publish the names of people who sign the petition, I dont care, I for one would like to know all the people who are more interested in taking people rights away.
And for the idiot who said to post names and address of all gay people, you are retarded - apparently you haven’t heard of hate crime, these posts from the Spokane conservatives are disgusting, wake up people is 2009 not 1950. Also, please dont bring your religious crap into this, this is not a religious issue, this is a basic rights issue
Lucy on June 02 at 10:35 p.m.
The Domestic Partner law is a basic human rights issue.
Someone else’s living arrangement has no effect on my life……and I can’t see how it affects anybody that actually has a life of their own.
I’m always amazed at how some of our conservative Christian friends are oh so interested in what’s going on in other folks bedrooms…….and this referendum is all about who is doing what to whom behind closed doors. Do everyone a favor, get a life and worry about whats going on in your own bedroom.
You don’t believe in domestic partnerships???……don’t get a domestic partner.
And to those who got their panties all in a twist over the “intimidation” factor of publishing their names…….what are you afraid of? Exposure?
Susan_F on June 02 at 10:58 p.m.
As has been mentioned above, the names and addresses of anyone and everyone who signs the petition are a MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD anyway; all this website will do is make it easier for people to view some of the that PUBLIC information from the comfort of their own computers.
If anything, the publicity about the names of people who sign the petition being a matter of easy-to-find public record is doing a FAVOR to those who are inclined to sign, but would prefer that it not be public information; people have the right to make an informed decision before putting their names down.
Certainly Randall & company know that if you sign this petition it will be public record that can be viewed by any member of the public who cares to, at any time—website or no website. Wonder if they were planning to disclose that to the people they ask to sign?
terryspokane on June 03 at 10:49 a.m.
Let me do you a favor. I WILL SIGN. My name is Terry Dunn I live in Otis Orchards. Come on out and see me anytime you want. Let me tell you that there is a German Shepard on the property. She is non-discriminatory and she will take a chunk out of you regardless of your slant. Who do you think you are to discuss with me what I sign or don’t sign. This article is not about who is making money or not it is about pure intimidation. I like most Americans really don’t like to be pushed into a corner. I guarantee you this will come back and bite you in the behind. Before you comment… I really don’t care what you do. But don’t tell me I have to agree with it or like it. Plain and simple marriage is between a man and a woman. No debate on the issue.