The Gonzaga University School of Law's Gay-Straight Alliance will join with the Gonzaga Law School Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to present a debate between GU Law Professors Mark DeForrest and Brooks Holland on the legal issues of Referendum 71 at 7 p.m. today (Thursday, Oct. 8), in Classroom 226 of the GU Law School. The event is free and open to the public, and food from Azteca will be provided. Referendum 71 is a ballot measure that asks Washington state voters to approve or reject the expansion of domestic partnership rights and obligations in Washington's originally limited domestic partnership legislation. The expansion (SB 5688) was signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 18. Under terms of the expansion, same-sex couples or any couple that includes one person age 62 or older, may register as a domestic partnership with the state of Washington. Registered domestic partnerships are not marriages, and marriage is prohibited except between one man and one woman. This bill expanded the rights, responsibilities and obligations of registered domestic partners and their families to include all rights, responsibilities, and obligations granted by or imposed by state law on married couples and their families. For more information, please contact Fabienne Santacroce co-chair of GSA-Outlaws.