U.S. Supreme Court Slams Washington State R-71 Christianist 8 to 1

While in my legal opinion all of the legal reasoning and ideals of transparency and basic principles of democracy argued for a ruling against the Christian Taliban organization, Protect Marriage Washington, given some of the conservatives on the Supreme Court, I nonetheless worried about the outcome in Doe v. Reed. Fortunately, my fears were unfounded and eight out of the nine justices ruled against the secrecy and conspiracy sought by Protect Marriage Washington. Leave it to Christianist tool Clarence Thomas, whose own marriage would still be illegal if his Christianist "friends" had their way, to be the lone dissenting opinion. Obviously, this ruling is a major blow to the anti-gay religious fanatics who want to take away the civil rights of those who fail to conform to their hate centered religious beliefs - all the while remaining safely anonymous. Just like Klan members hidden under their white robes and masks. The Seattle Post-Inteligencer has coverage on this very positive ruling. Here are some highlights:
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The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the names of people who signed petitions in an attempt to overturn a new gay rights law in Washington could be made public, a victory for state officials who said the case was a test of open government laws.
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Justices ruled 8-1 in a case called Doe V. Reed. Only Justice Clarence Thomas dissented. They heard oral arguments in Washington, D.C., April 28. The ruling dealt broadly with claims by foes of the new gay rights law that disclosing their names would violate their First Amendment rights.
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Washington state officials praised the decision. "This is a good day for transparency and accountability in elections--not just in Washington but across our country," Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna said. "We're pleased the Supreme Court ruled in favor of disclosure, upholding the public's right to double-check the work of signature gatherers and government -- and giving them the ability to learn which voters are directing the state to hold an election on a new law. Citizen legislating is too important to be conducted in secret."
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Protect Marriage Washington asked justices to shield the names of the 138,000 people who signed R-71 petitions in hopes of overturning the "everything but marriage" same-sex domestic partner law. In November Washington voters upheld the new statute. Gay rights groups have said they'll post the petition signers' names online, and some fear harassment or threats if their names are revealed.
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State officials had said there are laws in place to protect people who might be threatened. When people sign petitions or referendums they are acting as legislators, McKenna said, because they are trying to enact or change laws.*
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Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said it is vitally important that states be able to ensure that signatures on referendum petitions are authentic.

"Public disclosure thus helps ensure that the only signatures counted are those that should be, and that the only referenda placed on the ballot are those that garner enough valid signatures," Roberts said. "Public disclosure also promotes transparency and accountability in the electoral process to an extent other measures cannot."
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In addition to the positive ruling, the case also has the side benefit of diverting funds that might otherwise be spent disseminating anti-gay hatred to attorneys fees.

Message to GOP: Major Employers and Chamber of Commerce Support Gay Partnership Rights

One fact that the wingnuts in Virginia - and that includes GOP candidates Bob "Taliban Bob" McDonnell and Ken "I'm a Nutcase" Cuccinelli - is that employers FAVOR diversity and equal treatment of LGBT employees. While the theocrats and teabaggers who comprise the base of the GOP hate everyone who is not white and an adherent to their style of intolerant Christianity, that world view is increasingly unattractive to the business community and is becoming a larger deterrent to businesses seeking to relocate. Northern Virginia has suffered less that the rest of the state for the simple reason that Washington, D.C., and its far more liberal and accepting laws is in close proximity. The most backward areas of the state - which generally also have the highest unemployment - are those areas that embrace the Christian Taliban mindset of Bob McDonnell and his mentors, Pat Robertson and The Family Foundation. What is happening in Washington State ought to make voters seeking new jobs and employers wake up. Here some highlights from The Stranger.com:

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In the footsteps of five large companies that issued a statement yesterday, the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce came out today in favor of approving Referendum 71, thereby upholding the domestic partnership bill.

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“This law is about the rights and responsibilities of adults in committed relationships raising families, running businesses and owning property. Diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace, and in our state as a whole, are core values in our business community,” Chamber chair Tayloe Washburn said in a statement. “We must protect and enhance them if we want to attract, retain and grow the talented workforce needed to stay competitive in the global economy. Supporting the Approve R-71 campaign sends the right message about the economic environment we have and want. ”

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The five big corporations that are supporting the upholding of domestic partnership in the face of Christianist efforts to overturn the law are major players. If these are the types of employers Virginia wants to attract outside of places other than Northern Virginia, Virginians and the Virginia General Assembly need to wake up. Here's more on the five corporations:

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In a move that's certain to draw fire from religious conservatives, five companies have come out gunning for Washington voters to approve Referendum 71, thereby upholding the domestic-partnership bill passed by the legislature this year. The Boeing Company, Microsoft Corporation, Nike, Puget Sound Energy, RealNetworks and Vulcan Inc issued an enlightened statement today, saying that they "respect and support employees with diverse backgrounds" and that "Overturning this law would undo years of equal rights progress made in Washington state. We do not believe that this step backward would be in the best interest for the future of our state."

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Meanwhile, Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli seek to take Virginia socially back to the 1950's or even the 19th century. Is this really going to attract progressive and dynamic business? I think not. To help defeat this backward looking mindset was one of the reasons I helped found HRBOR, Virginia's only gay and gay friendly chamber of commerce and NGLCC affiliate.