The battle to preserve the new "everything but marriage" domestic partnerships in Washington has been won. Washington voters have made history by approving Referendum 71, reports the Seattle Times.
The tally Thursday afternoon saw the vote to approve R-71 widening its lead 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent. That lead now appears insurmountable. The Secretary of State's Office estimates another 500,000 to 600,000 ballots statewide are still outstanding, with about half expected from King County, where the measure is being approved by slightly more than 2 to 1. "Voters across the state listened to the personal stories of lesbian and gay families and the challenges they faced and sent a strong message that we want to see all families treated equally under the law in our state," said Anne Levinson, chairwoman of Washington Families Standing Together, which worked for the measure's approval.
Lurleen at Pam's House Blend offers some historical context: "Almost every Washington county shows an increase in pro-equality voting. The last time Washington voters had the opportunity to ratify a pro-equality law at the polls was in 1997. Initiative 677 proposed an employment non-discrimination law. The measure was rejected 59.7% to 40.3%. Contrary to the current image of the Puget Sound area of Washington as progressive, not one single county - not even Seattle's home of King County - voted to approve I-677. Contrast that with the current election where the electorate as a whole approved R-71 and majorities in 10 of Washington's 39 counties have approved R-71."
Gay activists are rightly disappointed by the loss in Maine but let's not dismiss the important victory in Washington. Congratulations to the people of Washington and Washington Families Standing Together for an excellent campaign.
Rod you keep me smiling. I am so proud of my state. Now if only I could find a partner LOL.
Posted by: Mr. Gay Seattle XXXIII | 06 November 2009 at 10:44
After last nights results came in, I felt like I could finally breathe easy. This is a great victory!
Posted by: Donolectic | 06 November 2009 at 10:51
And we did it without a speech by Obama or an endorsement from Eric Holder.
We here in Washington State worked VERY hard, in only a few weeks, to raise over $1.5 million (nearly all of it from WITHIN the state), built a coalition of over 500 community groups, including churches, labor, communities of color, as well as motivating the "base"--and it worked.
Maine folks worked just as hard, uphill against a strong Catholic and Mormon opposition, and yes, it is sad they lost. But just as Rod pointed out we've failed here only to later win, Maine will someday prevail.
Regroup, reassess, strategize, and come back swinging, Maine.
Posted by: Andy Niable | 06 November 2009 at 10:54
progress is a journey!
See La Nocca be a complete MESS in the short JESUS' SECRETARY on youtube.com
Posted by: nottmee | 06 November 2009 at 11:45
This is truly a great victory and it cannot be undervalued. Will this become the new template for advancing gay rights in this country?
Posted by: Ravenback | 06 November 2009 at 12:00
Wow, Andy. Any opportunity to troll about Obama, even to rain on your own parade?
I'm very very excited about the Washington win. Very glad to see the equality can still win at the ballot. It's a great piece of news in an otherwise sad news cycle.
Unfortunately I don't think its fair to compare what happened in both states. R71 was about preserving a very strong DP law. Q1 was about abolishing marriage. Washington doesnt have same sex marriage and actually bans marriage equality. I'm not sure if the results would have been much different if this were a marriage ballot.
That being said, given the DNC's pathetic non presence in Maine or Washington (and its now revealed downright lying about Maine), it's truly remarkable you would even bring up the president to gloat. Surely by now you've heard the DNC and Obama's OFA were caught lying about their emails to Maine voters? And more?
Posted by: Dalton | 06 November 2009 at 14:00
Congratulations to all the great people in Washington who voted FOR equality and AGAINST hate. They should be very proud of this huge victory.
Posted by: Danny Rivera | 06 November 2009 at 14:37
YES!!! The name doesn't matter as much as the benefits in my opinion.
Posted by: DbARR | 06 November 2009 at 19:31
I know there were some churches involved in the fight for equality and that's good, but Washington state is also the most atheist/non-religious state in the country. Is there a correlation?
Posted by: DFS | 06 November 2009 at 21:21