Libertarians Endorse R71

The Libertarian Party of Washington on Wednesday encouraged voters to approve Referendum 71 because "it's the right thing to do."

The political party asserts that withholding domestic partnership rights from same-sex couples violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

"The children of gay and lesbian couples are entitled to equal protection, as well. Discrimination against the gay and lesbian community is also discrimination against their children," Rachel Hawkridge, chair of the Libertarian Party of Washington, said in a press release. "It's horrible that people discriminate against loving, adult couples, but to discriminate against their innocent children is deplorable. It's inhumane."

R-71, which will appear on the November 3 ballot, asks Washington state voters to affirm or reject the expansion of the state's domestic-partnership rights that was legislatively passed and signed into law by Gov. Christine Gregoire in May.