A federal judge has ruled the names and addresses of Washington state voters who signed petitions to put Referendum 71 on the November ballot will not be made public. The referendum would repeal the new "everything but marriage" domestic-partnership law.
Family advocates fear retaliation from gay activists if the names of petition-signers are released.
“This seems to be a concerted, deliberate campaign on the part of gay-rights activists to punish people who support traditional marriage,” said James Bopp Jr., attorney for Protect Marriage Washington.
Bopp said some of the same groups were successful in "outing" supporters of California's marriage-protection amendment last year. Many marriage advocates were harassed or intimidated as a result.
Joseph Backholm, executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, said the real battle is just beginning.
"It is going to be a tough (election)," he said. "They are going to be well-funded."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the Protect Marriage Washington Web site.
— Steve Jordahl
