Opponents of same-sex marriage block state's new law

Officials at the Secretary of State's office begin to sort petitions for Referendum 74 , which would provide a public vote on gay marriage, Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. Washington's gay marriage law was blocked from taking effect as opponents filed more than 200,000 signatures for the referendum, which would put it to a public vote in November. Preserve Marriage Washington submitted the signatures just a day before the state was to begin allowing same-sex marriages. State officials will review the filings over the next week to determine whether the proposed referendum will qualify for a public vote, though the numbers suggest the measure will make the ballot easily. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)