SEATTLE—
Two weeks before the election supporters and opponents of referendum 71 are hitting a frantic pace.Josh Friedes is the Approve 71 Campaign Manager.He says what's at stake is huge.
"So we need to approve this to keep protections already passed and signed by the governor. If we do not we will roll back rights that have already been approved."
In June 2008: lawmakers passed, and Governor Gregoire signed into law a bill that would give same sex couples - and some senior citizens - the same basic rights as heterosexual couples - but only within the state of Washington - no change to federal laws.
A domestic partnership dubbed the "Everything But Marriage" law.
"We will have a conversation in the future about marriage equality," says Friedes. "I wish that conversation was happening today. It is not."
A clear distinction by supporters that opponents say is wrong.
"I'm calling it the biggest fraud perpetrated in state history," says Larry Steickney.
He started Project Marriage washington and has spear-headed the campaign against the new law. He gained enough signatures to get it on the ballot to let voters - not lawmakers - decide. He says referendum 71 IS about marriage and passing it would be a big mistake.
"This month it might be homosexuals next month it might be bisexuals who are demanding a husband and a wife," says Steickney. "We as a society don't have unlimited resources to promote everything for every flavor of the month minority group that wants to raid the institution of marriage."
A social and philosophical debate now in the hands of voters.
"It will set the tone for many, many years in Washington state and take us down a path that we don't want to go," says Steickney.
"What's put forth for voters is: "Should gay and lesbian couples have the most basic rights?" says Friedes. "I believe the people of Washington want that."
