Spokane7
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August 11, 2010 in City
Domestic partners petition names shielded for now
TACOMA — Signed petitions calling for a public vote on expanded domestic partnerships for gay couples will remain shielded from public view while a federal judge hears new arguments on whether to block them for good.
U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle today extended a restraining order that bars public release of the signatures while the case moves forward.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that generally, the release of petition signatures does not violate constitutional rights. However, the court said Protect Marriage Washington could go back to the lower courts and try to prove the release of the names of people who signed Referendum 71 would put them in danger. The referendum was approved last fall by voters.
A date has not yet been set for any hearings in the case.
© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Couple acquitted of caging 2 boys 
ChefGus/ John Olsen on August 11 at 6:49 a.m.
I believe that these people do not FEAR the gay communities retribution… rather they fear that their more reasonable neighbors and friends and business associates will find out that they are bigots. They also forget that many many of us will sign a petition to put something on the ballot, with no intention of voting for the issue’s passing. I signed the petition for the Prop 7? and never had any intention of voting for it…. Your vote, is yours to own… letting things come to the ballot and be discussed and voted on is just good common sense and courtesy to allow the other side a voice.
I’ve not heard or read of any single case of serious physical threat or harassment against the homophobics…. yet I know personally of multiple cases of serious threat and even death to members of our community that are glbt…
These folks fear the truth… and want to continue to hide in their white hats like the KKK John
philipgregory on August 11 at 7:00 a.m.
BIgots? To compare this issue with race discrimination is belittle and degrade the dignity and rights of people of every race. Despite desparate claims to the contrary, a person is not born homosexual. It is a choice they make. The same kind of choice people make who are fornicators, adulterers, thieves, and liars.
However, homosexuals who do not prey on others or proselitize should not be discriminated against. And, they should be allowed to, in some form other than marriage, legalize their partnerships, if they so wish.
But, everyone who cherishes family should realize what giving homosexual ‘unions’ the status of a marriage could do to further diminish the degradation of this society and family values.
misjustice on August 11 at 7:10 a.m.
@ Philip; Heterosexuals like the thrice married fornicator, adulterer, thief, liar, and hypocrite Newt Gingrich have done more to “diminish, degrade this society and “family” values” than any homosexuals that I have ever known…
Ninch on August 11 at 7:15 a.m.
UH… being against gay marriage (beliefs, thoughts) is NOT bigotry and btw is not always partnered with homophobia. Proposition 8 in California is an excellent example of how actions of gay activists unfairly and even dangerously targeted those who the activists believed were against gay marriage. The goal of these activists was to ruin lives and livelihoods. These very behaviors of physically targeting those who believe differently are the true acts of bigotry.
I find it repulsive that gay activists describe their ‘community’ to be victims at the same level as racism (e.g. KKK). It even became a defense for an off duty Spokane police officer to shoot a Native American guy in the head.
P.S. I believe in civil unions for all (i.e. contractual partnerships rather they be homosexual or hetreosexual). The government should have NO say in what is ‘marriage.’
SpokaneLiberal on August 11 at 8:08 a.m.
I can’t believe that I am going to quote Scalia but - “running a democracy takes a certain amount of civic courage. And the First Amendment does not protect you from criticism or even nasty phone calls when you exercise your political rights to legislate, or to take part in the legislative process.”
effrepublicans on August 11 at 8:08 a.m.
@Philipgregory and Ninch… The definition of bigot in Dictionary.com is: : a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion. So yes, those who wish to pursue an agenda or limiting rights and freedoms to anyone of any different sexual preference is a bigot. And, Philipgregory you exemplify the definition of a bigot.
Diana on August 11 at 8:53 a.m.
phillipgregory, how old were you when you made your choice? What was your thought process? How did you weigh your options?
spokanada on August 11 at 9:27 a.m.
Hey SR,
Why did you use this headline? You realize that this is a domestic partner initiative and that it benefits heterosexual couples as well right? In fact, you mention that in the first sentence so it appears like you were trying to provoke controversy.
Please don’t pander to the closeminded bigots by using the word “gay” in the headline. You are better than that.
spokanada on August 11 at 9:34 a.m.
Ninch,
I don’t agree with a lot of your views but I like your post. It is important to note that this initiative is not for gay marriage but rather domestic partnerships that benefit both homo and heterosexual couples.
I would hope that most reasonable people would recognize the difference.
spokanecougar on August 11 at 11:11 a.m.
philipgregory - that was among the stupidest most ignorant posts I have ever read on here. I am a gay male and I did not wake up one day and suddenly say, “you know what, I am going to be gay for the rest of my life.”
You are a total idiotic tool, I did not choose this lifestyle, I did not choose to be treated like a second class citizen by people like you, I did not choose to be gay so I can be beat up on, yelled at and have my life threatened just so I can be a gay man. Just like you did not wake up one day and decide, “you know, I am going to be straight for the rest of my life, being gay just doesn’t seem to work out for me.” This is not a choice, just like it was not a choice for you to be straight.
Whether you like it or not but you are an hateful, ignorant, idiotic bigot, so congratulations on that title if you were trying to accomplish that because you succeeded.
spokanada on August 11 at 11:19 a.m.
Thanks for changing the headline!
oneanddone on August 11 at 11:54 a.m.
SpokaneCougar’s rant is exactly why people who sign controversial initiatives don’t want their name bandied about the internet. It’s not about opinion with people like that, it’s all how terrible someone must be if they don’t agree with them. If you want to meet someone who’s a “hateful, ignorant, idiotic bigot” look up this cretin.
effrepublicans on August 11 at 12:39 p.m.
@oneanddone… Where in the whole of spokanecougar’s posting did he/she make any remarks about retribution towards anyone who signed the petition? You must call spokanecougar’s posting a rant because you don’t agree with it nor have you felt any of the intolerance that spokanecougar is describing in their posting. Your post attacking spokancougar’s posting is nothing more than the continuation of the intolerance displayed to people of different sexual orientation other than heterosexual. Spokanecougar’s posting is nothing different from the same issues that were and continue to be raised by African-americans, women and any other group that had their rights at one point limited and also treated in a different and second-class manner. To attack spokanecougar’s post as being hateful, ignorant or idiotic then you then at the same time are criticizing the outcry of injustice of lack of equal rights that African-americans cried foul of leading up to the revamping of our civil-rights laws in the 60’s. Your’s and philipgregory’s postings are no different from the views of the lynch mobs of the south or the most tolerant of the members of the KKK.
spokanecougar on August 11 at 12:44 p.m.
Thank you effrepublicans, I could not have said it any better than that.
soccermomsusie on August 11 at 1:45 p.m.
I don’t think it is fair that they release the names. I was feeling a little tipsy when I signed the petition. As far as saying I am a bigot and am like the KKK, that is not fair either. For one thing, everyone knows that, today, you aren’t supposed to be prejudiced against black people now. That doesn’t hold true for homosexuals today. Maybe in thirty years, you can say that I was like the KKK thirty years ago from today. That gives me and other Bible-centered people a sixty year spread of innocence. Do the math!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!
P.S. Please show your support for our wonderful John Ahern’s bid to win back his stolen seat by shouting at a preteen or by standing up against PETA (people for the erotic treatment of animals). DO IT TODAY!!!!!
liberal_in_right_wing_land on August 11 at 2:05 p.m.
soccermomsusie are you saying it is ok to be a bigot because homosexuality isn’t as accept as black people? Are you really that ignorant? You are hiding behind your bible saying its ok to be a bigot for the next 60 years? You might like to type that you are not a bigot to try and make you feel better, but sorry you are a total nasty, ugly, hateful bigot. I feel sorry that your kids are being raised in such a house full hate that you have towards people who do not share your hateful religious views.
You know, we hear your voice, we just choose to ignore your racist, bigoted, hateful religious speech.
Oh yea, and standing up against a group because they are against beating and treating animals like crap is also gross…..I hope you have no animals, and please, don’t shot my cat and dog if they go near you.
spokanecougar on August 11 at 2:46 p.m.
soccermomsusie……wow…..just wow…..how do you even comment on that such ignorant hatred statement. As said just above, I feel really bad about your kids who have to grow up in a household so full of hate towards anyone not like you. Sad, just so very sad…..have another drink and post some more pointless hate on here.
effrepublicans on August 11 at 3:16 p.m.
@soccermomsusie… So was your tipsyness the result of your giddy reaction of being able to put a measure on the ballot to limit the rights of people with different sexual orientation from you?
But to continue on the response offered by liberal_in_right_wing_land you (soccermomsusie) totally blew off the fact that its just plain WRONG to hold any prejudice based on race rather than your view that we “aren’t supposed to”. But not everyone knows that as you stated in your post. Been to Athol lately?? So what are the criteria that you would use to determine or propose for society to determine in 30 years if being prejudice and intolerant towards people with different sexual orientations than yourself is wrong? What were the criteria that were used back in the 60’s to determine african-americans should have equal rights? How about its just indecent to treat your fellow human being any different than how you want to be treated? Sound familiar? No one type of intolerance is less severe or hurtful than any other type of intolerance because all victims of intolerance all feel pain and injustice. You seem to forget that or rather I should say you ignore that and then what makes you any bit different from the more vocal and recognizable bigots in the world?
Itsgodswill on August 11 at 3:20 p.m.
When just the “right” person speaks, I have no other feeling then for a strong desire for them to get punched..I don’t care how, where, why…But the thing’s that come out of some people’s mouths are just unbelievable..
Soccermomsusie: You are truly a terrible person. It doesn’t matter what is more or less acceptable “these days”..So, because everyone else says you aren’t supposed to be prejudice against black people, THATS your only reason for not being prejudice against them? What that leads me to believe is that you have no mind of your own and follow like the sheep that you are.
YOUR god said that everyone was created equal. If everyone was created equally, everyone should have the same equal rights. As was already said, go have another drink and see what else that genius mind of yours can come up with..No really we’re all interested now, so lets HEAR YOUR VOICE!!!
ChefGus/ John Olsen on August 11 at 3:53 p.m.
It went ALL the way to the Supreme Court for goodness sake with an 8 to 1 decision with the only black person on the court voting nay… it is done…. and those trying to hide behind their hoods will be known to their neighbors… Spokane cougar likely has been harassed all of his life.and might like to be able to go to sleep tonight knowing that Mathew Shepherd did not die in vain…. if you are not willing to state your opinions in public without good reason for being secret, you are merely a coward…. john ( I’m in the Phone book..) ….
MrNatural on August 11 at 3:56 p.m.
Lighten up folks…Soccermomsusie is just pulling your leg…read between the lines…
carisa021 on August 11 at 5:04 p.m.
Being gay is no more a choice than “deciding” to be a woman, to be black, or to become old. As Spokanecougar said, who in their right mind would actually choose to be gay? How difficult do you think it is to come out and face the rejection of parents or friends?
People are so intolerant. I made the choice to finally tell my mother-in-law I didn’t believe in God, and she hasn’t spoken to me since. Bible-thumpers are so quick to judge others. They don’t seem to get the whole Jesus=love thing.
Creative11 on August 11 at 9:00 p.m.
The bigots (here known as petition signers) are just like cockroaches…. They try to hide in the dark when the light is on.
The sunlight of these names will show who they are and they will want to hide.
See them scurry and say “I am not a bigot” but their signatures will prove otherwise.
gailandmarshall on August 11 at 9:52 p.m.
I’ve read through all these comments and found that the only person who said something intelligent without judging another person was Carisa. Thank you Carisa.
Thayne on August 11 at 10:44 p.m.
soccermomsusie, your parody is priceless. I can’t believe people actually think you mean what you’re writing. If the people who signed the petitions are afraid of someone finding out they signed it, they can’t be very proud of their convictions. I don’t give a rats butt who sees my signature. I don’t smoke cannabis, but I signed the petition to have it legalized because I don’t think it’s any more dangerous than liquor or tobacco. If you feel strongly enough about an issue to sign a petition, have the marbles to stand by it.