PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Democratic Party will celebrate the passage of legislation permitting same-sex marriage — and begin to prepare for a fight against a referendum vote on the measure — on Saturday.
The celebration at the Port Angeles Yacht Club, 1305 Marine Drive, will include a free all-ages potluck from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and a dance party featuring DJ Schmeejay and DJ Transport from 8 p.m. to midnight.
A $10 minimum donation is suggested for the dance party, which is for 21 and older.
The event is open to members of the public who support marriage equality, according to a statement.
“We are celebrating the Legislature’s vote and ramping up for the referendum fight,” said Matthew Randazzo, chairman of the Clallam County Democratic Party.
A referendum on same-sex marriage qualified for the November ballot, the Secretary of State’s Office announced Tuesday.
Referendum 74 seeks to overturn a law allowing same-sex marriage in the state.
The measure was passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier this year.
It originally was scheduled to take effect last Thursday, but that has been put on hold pending the November referendum vote.
At Saturday’s event, “we’ll be taking donations and, equally important, asking people to become involved — be sure they run out to vote and encourage others to do the same,” said Jack Slowriver, vice chairwoman of the county Democratic Party, who is coordinating the celebration.
“This is the first Democratic-sponsored Pride Event in Clallam County history,” Slowriver said, “and we invite everyone who supports marriage equality to join us this weekend for a relaxed, casual celebration of this huge civil-rights accomplishment.”
For more information, email Slowriver at JackSlowriver@gmail.com.