Intimidation is such an ugly word. The campaign is well underway for Referendum 71, which seeks to repeal the newly recognized rights of same sex partnerships in the state . The ink of the governor's pen has barely had time to dry since the passage of SB 5688, dubbed  the "everything but marriage" law. Referendum 71 supporters expect to wage a battle of  Proposition 8 type proportions here in the Evergreen State.

Except this time, supporters of traditional marriage have a poll tax to pay for daring to defend the love with no name. Gay rights supporter, Brian Murphy of Seattle, along with others, has established a website where they intend to post all 120,577 names (minimum required for the referendum to make it to the November ballot. Murphy is still undecided as to whether to post addresses of the signers. He scoffs at the idea that this is a form of intimidation, claiming that he only hopes to "foster conversation between neighbors."

I'm imagining the gay pride parade entourage with pitch forks and torches....try starting THAT conversation!

In fairness, other gay rights organizations have expressed discomfort with this tactic and have asked Murphy not to do it.

All this means to me is that people who oppose gay marriage need to get more sophisticated (and less reactive) to why they oppose gay marriage. Making signs like "It's Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve," or quoting scripture verses does not count as engaging, persuasive public opinion. This can be done in an intelligent and convincing way.

To study the issue from a conservative, pro-traditional marriage viewpoint and to better prepare for such "conversations" with your neighbors, check out the Ruth Institute.