Q-Seattle Events: Tacky Tourist Clubs: Groups gathering sigs for discrimination referendum claim they're doing it without Eyman

Initiative huckster Tim Eyman last week sent out press releases about what he called "Referendum Sunday" which encouraged ministers at some churches promote signature-gathering for the discrimination referendum, R-65, that he filed. But two non-profit groups that are now spearheading the effort claim they're doing it without Eyman's help, according to The Seattle Times.

"I don't know what Eyman is doing. We're not cooperating with Tim at all on what we're doing," said Gary Randall, president of the Faith and Freedom Network.

Randall said Eyman, who is best known for pushing anti-tax initiatives, was simply the first person to file a ballot measure with the secretary of state after lawmakers passed House Bill 2661 in January. The legislation adds sexual orientation to a state law that bans discrimination based on race, gender, religion and other categories.

Annie Levinson of Washington Won't Discriminate told the Times that she expects the measure to gather the required signatures because of the campaign help from some churches.

The Times story notes,

The religious groups and churches that oppose the gay-rights law have an enormous capacity to gather petition signatures on their own.

That was clear at the Northshore Baptist Church, where more than 2,600 people attended its regular services Sunday.

The church held three services in a large auditorium with balcony seating. Hundreds of people packed the 9:30 a.m. service as Senior Pastor Jan Hettinga urged them to sign petitions to get Referendum 65 on the ballot.

The congregation watched a campaign video prepared by Sound the Alarm, a pro-discrimination group that is campaigning for R-65 signatures.