Hi - need guidance from WA GLBT experts on how to vote on 71.

[gateley]

I received my voters pamphlet and hunkered down to read it, but sheesh -- page after page after page of stuff I don't understand!

Thought I'd be slick and just check out who supports the law, and it has both the Mainstream Republicans and Young Democrats :shrug:

So I turn to you, I just want to do what's right to ensure I'm 'saying' with my vote that I want what's best and fair for my GLBT friends.

Thanks!

:hi: :pals:

[badacid]

1. Ref 71

Hello,

Rejecting Ref 71 removes benefits same sex couples (as well as hetero elderly) couples currently receive.

Approving Ref 71 keeps the benefits in place.

My wife was one of the few people to stand up in spontaneous opposition to the people bussed in from western washington to protest in lynnwood.

We had to do a lot of research because it isn't easy to understand and the people opposing Ref 71 have commercials saying, "YES - reject ref 71" or "Protect children and reject ref 71".

The way we had to remember it (For the signs etc) - To reject ref 71 is to deny benefits. To approve ref 71 is to approve benefits.

[gateley]

4. Thanks to you and your wife for doing the research -- my eyes were crossing

just trying to absorb the info in the voters pamphlet!

Okay -- got it. Thanks for the clarification. I'll vote to approve!

[TheWraith]

2. Prop 71 needs to PASS in order to keep the domestic partnership law on the books. nt

[gateley]

5. Thanks! I really appreciate it!! nt

[oldtime dfl_er]

3. Get the Stranger cheat sheet

They'll tell you which way to vote!

[gateley]

6. OMG -- The Stranger!

I recently returned after living 7 years in NC and haven't seen or thought of The Stranger since my return! Glad to hear it's still alive and kicking. I'll check it out -- and thanks!! :hi:

Edit -- just checked it out -- boy it's come a LONG way! Excellent!

[oldtime dfl_er]

9. Welcome home!

:toast:

I always use the Stranger's cheat sheets. I don't always agree, but it's about 90% for me, and it breaks ties, if I'm ever uncertain.

[gateley]

10. Thanks! And thanks again for the point in the right direction. FYI, I couldn't

find one on their site so I called, they will be publishing it in the next issue.

I know I'll find it very helpful. The only things I'm really certain of now are 71 and Dow Constantine. :hi:

[nolabear]

7. Ain't it tragic we have to vote to keep them from taking away rights?

What a world, what a world. But I'm voting.

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. I'm worried that there's going to be a lot of confusion on this one.

Because it was the religious homophobes who were collecting the signatures to put this on the ballot. Ordinarily, somebody puts something on the ballot because they want you to vote FOR it. But these fascists actually wanted it on the ballot so they could vote AGAINST it.

I've heard confusion played a part in Prop H8 passing in California. I wouldn't want that shit happening up here.

Good news is that there are ads running on TV now. Saw one during Countdown tonight on MSNBC.

[uppityperson]

11. Not GLBT but voting Yes on R71 means continuing having basic civil rights

It is odd, since the signature gatherers to get this on the ballot want you to vote no. Voting No takes away civil rights for couples in WA. Voting Yes means they can continue to have rights, irregardless of sexual orientation.

Pisses me off to have to vote for civil rights and I am very glad the court overturned the ruling to release signers names, meaning people who signed this piece of shit to get it on the ballot now have their names available to see. No more being bigots in private, trying to be anonymous in your bigotry. Edited to add that they aren't releasing names yet, still more legal stuff going on. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ilXCzJPb_Z0USCTFt17btktvNV8gD9BBRUM00

sorry, pisses me off

Simply put, vote Yes. If you want more info, google the main person in charge of this Larry Stickney.