Washington state marriage equality round-up: Watch the new ad from the pro-equality campaign
October 16, 2012
Referendum 74 Washington marriage
By Scottie Thomaston
– Watch the new ad from Washington United for Marriage, the pro-equality campaign:
– The Seattle Times discusses the marriage equality campaign in Washington.
– The anti-gay marriage campaign in Washington has been making claims about R74’s effects on business. Washington United for Marriage has issued a press release:
For example, according to the Williams Institute, at the USC School of Law, about 9,500 same-sex couples would marry within the first three years of the law, creating an $88 million boost to the state and local economy, with a $57 million boost the first year alone. In addition, the Institute concludes that those marriages would add $8 million in tax revenue to state and local coffers, with an additional $5 million in the first year. See the full study here.
“To assert that just one social indicator illustrates the fate of a States’ economic strength or weakness is to oversimplify all that should be taken into account to paint a clear picture of a region’s vitality,” said George Allen Senior Vice President for Government Relations for the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber regularly reaches out to employers and as such knows full well that fostering an open, inclusive and inviting workforce is one of the pillars to job creation and economic vibrancy.”
Ironically, today’s latest press claim from opponents comes as the Wall Street Journal published a piece on its MarketWatch entitled, “Gay Marriage is a Shot of Adrenaline for the U.S. Economy.” For example, the columnist notes, “…why not try something that brings families together and doesn’t cost the tax payer a dime. In fact, it saves taxpayers money, as it is much cheaper for the IRS to process joint income tax statements than it is to process them individually…More jobs, more tax revenue, less money wasted on the IRS seems like a good deal to me.” See the full article here.
“This is just gobbledygook,” said Zach Silk, WUM’s campaign manager about opponents’claims that states without the freedom to marry fare better economically. “If this were all about static economic charts, then the leading business people and corporate leaders throughout the state would not be standing behind our effort to defend the state’s marriage law and approve Referendum 74. With no one standing with them, I guess the next best thing is to throw some malarkey up against the wall and hope it sticks.”
Read the whole thing here.
– The same tactics from previous ballot initiative fights used by the National Organization for Marriage and other groups have been used again in the Washington campaign. The latest is that the anti-gay campaign is alleging that anti-gay petition signers are subjected to harassment. Evidence is hard to find for these claims, and Washington United for Marriage has issued a fact check.
– Many corporations, including state-based businesses like Starbucks and Microsoft have endorsed marriage equality in Washington.
11 Comments
1.
Gregory in SLC | October 16, 2012 at 2:07 pm
GO WASHINGTON! GO FOUR STATES!
2.
Bill S. | October 16, 2012 at 5:15 pm
If we win all 4 of these referenda, re-elect Obama, and have Democrats keep control of the Senate, we will have successfully pushed anti-gay rhetoric to the fringe of mainstream politics. I'm sure the 2016 Republican presidential nominee won't be pro-equality, but maybe pro-civil unions at least. It will at least spell the death knell of all these "family" organizations. Here's hoping!
3.
Deeelaaach | October 16, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Assuming we win all the things you mention above, I wouldn't be so quick to declare victory. It might be enough to say that we may be turning the tide. But when we have 32 victories in initiatives, I might consider it. I might even declare victory when SCOTUS votes for equality.
I'll declare it for sure when people don't stare at me on the streets (I'm trans and I don't pass), welcome me to their churches etc. In other words, I'll declare victory when the hearts and minds of the bulk of our citizens are for equality and the anti-gay groups have the status of the KKK in the hearts and minds nearly all of our neighbors. When science shows them to be the flat earthers of yesteryear and the earth is no longer flat for the LGBT or for the rest of us, yes, I'll declare victory then, and I'll give thanks that it has become that way.
4.
Straight Ally #3008 | October 16, 2012 at 3:04 pm
Can't the anti-gay side just lose, already? So much time, money, and emotion has been expended…it's going to be a long few weeks.
5.
Seth from Maryland | October 17, 2012 at 9:51 am
[youtube WGHL2_49Qkk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGHL2_49Qkk youtube]
Ref 74 debate
6.
Gregory in SLC | October 17, 2012 at 11:23 am
Wonder how many heard this debate? It seemed the majority in the physical audience opposed referendum 74.
The opposition use the argument kids need a father and mother…and marriage means father and mother…..and how exactly will preventing gay marriage make it more likely kids will have a mother and father? .The opposition want to retain the right to discriminate without consequences. Period.
7.
Seth from Maryland | October 17, 2012 at 12:27 pm
i really loved at 14th min mark , our side was owning them
8.
Seth from Maryland | October 17, 2012 at 10:18 am
[youtube XgT8DOfD9OM&feature=plcp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgT8DOfD9OM&feature=plcp youtube]
MInnesota New Ad: Minnesota Viking Chris Kluwe speaks out against the Amendment
9.
Gregory in SLC | October 17, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Chris is also in the Advocate:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner…
10.
Seth from Maryland | October 18, 2012 at 8:38 am
New Maryland POLL: A new poll just released by the Washington Post shows that the pro-marriage equality 'Yes on Question 6' is leading by 52% to 43%. This is even more great news since the poll was of 'likely voters' in the Free State.
This poll, while doesn't quite put us out of danger, is another good sign that the marriage equality forces are making great progress with the November ballot measures.
The poll shows that more work needs to be done in the Maryland's African-American community but we are doing better there than in previous elections. White voters support marriage equality by 56% to 39%. African-Americans voters are against by 53% to 42%. While that is disappointing, it is a huge shift from previous years.
The National NAACP is doing enormous amount of work in Maryland to increase the vote in favor of marriage equality.
Only 40% of those over 65 years old support our struggle. While a high 64% of those age 18 to 39 support us.
http://www.davidmixner.com/2012/10/new-washington…
11.
Seth from Maryland | October 18, 2012 at 9:48 am
New Minnesota Poll Finds Draw : KSTP-TV’s latest polling shows the trend lines favoring opponents of the GOP’s marriage amendment. Tom Hauser says: “Less than three weeks from Election Day the battle over Minnesota's marriage amendment is too close to call. The latest KSTP/SurveyUSA poll shows 47% of Minnesotans surveyed support the amendment to the state constitution that would define marriage as only the union of one man and one woman. It requires 50% of all votes cast in the election to pass an amendment. According to the latest poll, 46% oppose the idea and 7% are undecided. The margin of sampling error in the poll is +-4.3%. Just last month our survey showed 50% voting ‘yes’ and 43% voting ‘no http://www.minnpost.com/glean/2012/10/poll-finds-…