“I’m confident that Washington voters support gay and lesbian families who work hard, play by the rules, and pay taxes just like all other families.

“People are coming to a growing understanding that gay and lesbian people are their neighbors, their sibilings, their cousins and nieces and nephews. In our communties, they’re our teachers, doctors, police officers, and firefighters.

“In Washington, we value fairness.

“While it’s regretable that a referendum is being filed to undo the progress we made this session to treat gay and lesbian families the same as married families, I don’t believe that voters will decide in November to take away rights from anyone.”