Justice Anthony Kennedy Blocks Names of Gay Rights Ballot

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy blocked Washington officials from releasing the names of people who signed a ballot on gay rights. Kennedy will remain to block the release of names until he considers a request from Protect Marriage Washington to reverse the appeals of court ruling. 

Kennedy's action was trigger by Referendum 71 a ballot initiative that ask Washington voters to approve or reject the state's "everything but marriage" law which grants domestic partners legal rights as married heterosexuals. Protect Marriage Washington circulated a petition that allowed to put domestic partnership in the hands of voters in order for people to reject the law. 

If the names are released the 1st amendment right of the petitioners would be diminished. Not only that but, Protect Marriage Washington said that signers of the petition fear hostile and confrontations of gay right supporters. They think that if domestic partners get the same legal rights as married couples they are getting privileges.