SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Wednesday the Alliance Defense Fund opened a free telephone hotline (1-800-655-6592) and Web page (
www.telladf.org/r71) for Washingtonians who believe they have credible reports of retaliation against them because of their support of
Referendum 71. Referendum 71 is a citizen initiative that would allow voters to decide on
a state senate bill that makes marriage and “registered domestic partnerships” effectively the same except in name.
Opponents of Referendum 71 who do not want the people of Washington to have a say on the bill have promised to post the personal information of referendum supporters on the Internet.
“No one should have to worry about their own personal safety because of the way he or she wants to vote,” said ADF Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb. “Washington voters shouldn’t have to choose between being involved in the democratic process and opening themselves up to possible acts of retaliation as a result of having their personal information posted on the Web. If that happens to anyone, we invite them to use the free hotline or Web page specifically set up for such reports. Public information should never be used as a means of political intimidation.”
There is no fee to call the hotline at 1-800-655-6592 or to register any report of retaliation through
www.telladf.org/r71. Any legal services ADF provides are free of charge.
If Referendum 71 supporters gather a sufficient number of signatures by July 25, Washington voters would be able to approve or reject Senate Bill 5688, which states, “It is the intent of the legislature that for all purposes under state law, state registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses.”
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
www.adfmedia.org www.domawatch.org