Sixteen people took to the streets of Longview on Monday afternoon, calling for the approval of Referendum 71 to maintain the rights of same-sex couples with domestic partnerships.

“To take any of the rights would be basically depriving families,” said Richard Dominiak, an 18-year-old marcher from Kelso.

The group walked east along Kessler Boulevard wearing bright, rainbow-colored clothing, then they turned onto 15th Avenue. They carried signs saying “Approve Equality” and “Love Knows No Boundaries.”

Organizer Jared Mitchell said he found the marchers through online social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. They were motivated by an opposition rally last week in Lynnwood, which drew hundreds.

“If they can do that, then we can do this,” said Mitchell, a 23-year-old openly gay Longview resident.

In the Nov. 3 general election, R-71 asks voters to approve this year’s legislative expansion of a laundry list of marriage benefits to same-sex and unmarried elderly couples. The ballot measure would give registered domestic partners power of attorney, pension and death benefits and hospital visitation rights. However, while it dramatically expands the rights of same sex or senior domestic partners, the measure does not make domestic partnership the legal equivalent of marriage.

Arlington-based Protect Marriage Washington led the charge to gather enough signatures this summer to force a public vote, hoping to repeal the Legislature’s work.

The group says the measure gives special privileges to gay and lesbian couples and will give same-sex couples ground to sue and force the state to approve gay marriage.

Protect Marriage Washington also argues that marriage between a man and a woman is best for children, and the groups fears R-71 could lead to a backlash against people who don¹t believe in gay marriage.

The Longview marchers encountered mostly positive honks from passing motorists along 15th Avenue, except for a couple instances. One man yelled a slur out a car window, and another group of people yelled at them on the sidewalk.

All in all, the response was good, said Dominiak, a 2008 Kelso High School graduate who¹s been called names for being openly gay and been accepted by friends.

Several people also walked up to the marchers seeking information about R-71, Mitchell said.

“At least we got it out there. These people know what (R-71) is now.”

To Mahal Frederickson, it¹s about equality. The 18-year-old Lower Columbia College nursing student is straight, but she hit street in support for gay friends and family members, she said.

The expansion of partnership rights was a thrill for gay couples, and Frederickson said voters should let them keep those rights.

“If you take them away, it¹s not fair,” she said.

On the Net:

Protect Marriage Washington: http://protectmarriagewa.com/

Approve Referendum 71: http://approvereferendum71.org/

Referendum 71 information from Secretary of State: www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/Referendum71QuickLinks.aspx