Civil Rights

Oregon Gathers Signature For Same-Sex Marriage

Virginia Alvino — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:34:34 +0000

Gay rights supporters in Oregon have begun the early work to put same-sex marriage on the 2014 ballot. Their petition was filed with the Secretary of State on Monday.

Now, 1,000 signatures are needed to initiate the ballot title process.

Failed Compound Illustrates Disarray In White Supremacy Movement

Jessica Robinson — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 01:11:26 +0000

There’s a new effort to build a white supremacist compound in the Northwest. The Southern Poverty Law Center has reported that a man in remote north Idaho has been developing property to revive the Neo-Nazi presence there.

Washington Catholics Take On Referendum 74

Liz Jones — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 13:33:44 +0000

This fall, people in Washington state will likely vote on a referendum to repeal same-sex marriage. Backers of Referendum 74 plan to turn in signatures by Wednesday to put the issue on the ballot. One of the biggest proponents of the repeal is the Catholic archdiocese of Seattle. It wants all of its parishes to actively campaign against same-sex marriage. But some Catholics are feeling caught in the middle, as Liz Jones reports.

For Some Black Baptists, Evolving Views On Gay Marriage

Liz Jones — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:50:41 +0000

This week, same-sex marriage opponents in Washington state plan to turn in signatures for Referendum 74. The measure seeks to rollback the state’s recent legalization of gay marriage.

Conservative churches are a key base for the Referendum campaign, including many African American churches. Numerous polls show black voters, compared to whites, are more opposed to gay marriage.

Now, some wonder how these voters’ views might shift given President Obama’s support for marriage equality.

In the first of our two-part series about same-sex marriage and the church, Liz Jones visits two Baptist churches in the Puget Sound area.

Forest Service Ordered To Stop Using Border Patrol As Interpreters

Derek Wang — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:32:39 +0000

The U.S. Forest Service can no longer use Border Patrol agents as interpreters. That’s according to an order from the federal agriculture department that was made public this week.

The issue stems from a case on the Olympic Peninsula near Forks last year. A Latino man and woman were picking salal … that’s shrub used in floral arrangements.

They were stopped by a Forest Service officer who said the couple did not have a permit to harvest salal. The man and woman were not native English speakers. The officer called in Border Patrol agents to interpret and for backup.

Obama Reaffirms Gay Rights Stance At Seattle Fundraiser

Amy Radil — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:18:22 +0000

President Obama made a quick fundraising trip through Seattle Thursday. The trip included his first appearances since announcing his support for gay marriage. Democrats at the fundraiser were quick to show their appreciation. But they also predicted that his stance will energize his opponents as well as his supporters. KUOW’s Amy Radil reports.

Idaho Lawmakers Weigh In On National Contraception Policy

Samantha Wright — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:11:50 +0000

BOISE, Idaho -- Some Idaho lawmakers are weighing in on a national debate over whether religious institutions should be required to provide birth control coverage to employees. Samantha Wright reports.

Gay Marriage Referendum 74 Ballot Language Approved

Liz Jones — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:09:40 +0000

OLYMPIA -- Same sex marriage supporters in Washington state are chalking up a small victory Tuesday. A Thurston County judge agrees with changes they wanted on a possible voter referendum.

Wash. Voters May Find Referendum Confusing

Azusa Uchikura — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:30:15 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Over the next few months in Washington, someone may approach you with a petition. Opponents of same-sex marriage are trying to force a referendum vote on Washington’s new marriage equality law. There’s also a separate initiative to define marriage as between one man and one woman. Meanwhile, gay rights supporters are also collecting signatures for their own non-binding pledge. Confused? Azusa Uchikura has this voter’s guide.

Petitioning To Repeal Same-Sex Marriage In Wash. Begins

Azusa Uchikura — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:20:34 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Tuesday in Olympia, a county judge will word-smith the ballot language for the a referendum challenging the same-sex marriage in Washington. Christian conservatives want to overturn the legislature’s approval of gay marriage last month.