SEATTLE - Washington state voters on Tuesday were narrowly approving the state's new "everything but marriage" law that marks a significant expansion of rights for gay couples.
With about 50 percent of the expected vote counted, Referendum 71 was leading 51 percent to 49 percent.
The measure asked voters to approve or reject the final expansion to the state's domestic partnership law, which grants registered domestic partners additional state-granted rights currently given only to married couples.
There was an east-west divide to the results -- it was passing in 10 counties in traditionally more liberal western Washington, including King County. Eastern Washington counties were overwhelmingly voting to reject.
"This is a remarkable statement by the voters of Washington," said Anne Levinson, chairwoman of Washington Families Standing Together, the group fighting to keep the law on the books. "They have a history of being fair-minded and compassionate, and they've proven that once again."
Levinson said that if the vote trend continues, "we'll be making history in our state in moving forward toward full equality for gay and lesbian families in our state."
The expanded law would add benefits, such as the right to use sick leave to care for a domestic partner, and rights related to adoption, child custody and child support.
Opponents remained optimistic that they could close the gap, but warned that if the law was approved, gay marriage would be the next step in Washington state.
"I think it will be immediate," said Gary Randall of Protect Marriage Washington, which pushed to get the referendum on the ballot. "Now was the time to stand against it."
The law was supposed to take effect July 26, but now will go on the books only if approved by voters. If rejected, previously enacted legislation on domestic partnerships with fewer benefits to gay couples would remain in place.
The underlying domestic partnership law, which the Legislature passed in 2007, provided hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, and inheritance rights when there is no will. Under state law, senior couples can register as domestic partnerships as well.
Last year, lawmakers expanded that law to give domestic partners standing under laws covering probate and trusts, community property and guardianship.
More than 12,000 people in Washington state are registered as domestic partners.
Washington state, along with several other states including California, Oregon and New Jersey, have laws that either recognize civil unions or domestic partnerships that afford same-sex couples similar rights to marriage.
Same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont, and will start in New Hampshire in January. A referendum on gay marriage in Maine was losing by a slim margin Tuesday night.
monkeyfish said on November 3, 2009 at 10:29 PM
another great example of Seattle cramming their own agenda down the throat of the rest of the state...
anchovers said on November 4, 2009 at 12:06 AM
What is this world coming to? I guess that's what is suppose to happen in the end times.
anchovers said on November 4, 2009 at 12:23 AM
I am not standing for same benefits for people who aren't real couples..and I'm pretty sure churches aren't either..not saying that we hate gay people..we love them..just hate the sin. People need a father and a mother. not 2 mothers or 2 fathers.
spoklahomarox said on November 4, 2009 at 8:30 AM
Another example of the typical church's hateful ways coming to an end. Yay!
bruceb said on November 4, 2009 at 8:48 AM
deuleux... riiiight... because soooo many gay people were raised by gay parents. BTW the captcha for this post is "cowpokes ex-Governor." Who is thinking these up? lol
bruceb said on November 4, 2009 at 8:52 AM
P.S. you can go here (http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?RaceTypeCode=M&JurisdictionTypeID=-2&ElectionID=32&ViewMode=Results) to the secretary of state's website to see results. Click on "county results & map" to see county results and a map. The map looks pretty much like the Gregoire/Cantwell/probably Obama result maps: all the sparsely populated counties voting "no" and most of the densely populated ones voting "yes."
ejr176 said on November 4, 2009 at 9:17 AM
OMG...What the hell is wrong with this state? Sick, just sick. Having something like this pass just shows where societies morals have really gone. God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.
runnybunny said on November 4, 2009 at 10:12 AM
The idea that attraction to another is somehow dictated by environment has basis. Explain how someone is attracted to someone who most would consider repulsive. There is a bell curve that God has dispersed all things in nature upon. Accusing those on the edges of the curve of being bad or wrong or unnatural is to deny God's creation. Where on this continuum are you choosing to draw these lines between "normal" and "not". It is an impossible fantasy that denies the diversity God created and asks us to love.
whawha said on November 4, 2009 at 10:14 AM
It's just not natural. regardless of you religious views. Just look at the facts. A man and woman are needed to procreate and reproduce. 2 Men, or 2 women CAN NOT reproduce, and if the human race can't reproduce then it will cease to exist. Besides my religious view on the matter, that is the pure science of it.
noway said on November 4, 2009 at 10:34 AM
There is little chance of a Gay couple making little Johnnie or Suzy gay. That isn’t the objective here. The objective is forcing acceptance of a lifestyle and the ability to use the law to silence opposition. Once the GAY LIFESTYLE IS A “LEGAL” NORM ANY ACTIONS OPPOSING IT CAN BE TARGETED AS “HATE SPEECH”. The groundwork has been laid and your first amendment rights are undermined as political correctness has taken over and the new hate speech laws go into effect. They can file suit against your church and possibly have you arrested for calling it sin. Fools, the water is getting warmer.
tulip56 said on November 4, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Just because a family has one mom and one dad does not guarantee that a child is going to be raised with unconditional love and support. I hope people who have posted here about how disgusting the gay "sin" is realize that heterosexuals do not have the upper hand in marriage and family. Families with one mom and one dad still beat their kids, still neglect their children, still do not provide a loving, safe environment for their children. And this is going to come as a big shocker to all heteros who think that gay people are the only ones who do "disgusting" things behind closed doors. Heteros still committ ADULTERY, STILL SWING, and MANY DO NOT RESPECT MARRIAGE. Heteros get married for tax reasons, for immigration reasons - we don't get to pull the "righteous" card on this one. The only difference between a marrriage and a civil union is church. Until there is no divorce, no adultery, no child abuse - heteros do not have the right to say who gets to get married or not.
smokanemom said on November 4, 2009 at 10:46 AM
RE: deuleuxieesxi How closed minded can you be? I think that this world we live in has enough big problems to deal with other than giving EVERYONE equal rights. They live together and work together so they should be allowed to adopt children. Think about all the drug addicted hetero-sexual couples who have children they cant or refuse to raise that gay couples are willing to give a great life too. All of those children in our country who could careless if they had two moms or two dads! They would like nothing better than to be out of our social and health serivces deathgrip! And what about the elderly people who live together for years and then one goes into ICU and they wont let the other one visit or get any health information because they dont have domestic partner rights? Its not all black and white and you need to open your mind to the options of how other people choose to live!
idunno said on November 4, 2009 at 10:47 AM
i no way does this affect anyone that reads the bible. separation of church and state, remember that one. thump on that bible all you want and it still won't change what people do. THE SHALL NOT JUDGE, PEOPLE!!!!!! JEEEEESUUUUUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
seann7656 said on November 4, 2009 at 10:49 AM
"Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone" and "Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged". I'll leave these quotes up here for those who start getting so righteous.
ejr176 said on November 4, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Even with leaving all the righteous biblical talk out of it, the problem remains that this all has to be publicized. Why do same sex partners, homosexuals, or whatever you "politically correct" term you want to use, for toy bleeding heart, need to have this big spotlight to be accepted. Why the gay pride parades and all that. If they have to fight to be accepted in OUR society than there must be something wrong with it. How many of you really want your children being taught that this is okay, I sure don't, but it is only a matter of time before it winds up that way. As far as same sex couples raising children and that NOT having an effect on them. I call BS on that. Your telling me that you will NOT be influenced by something that is shoved in your face all of your life.
ejr176 said on November 4, 2009 at 11:13 AM
update: typo Typo in earlier post, it was to read... ....for YOU bleeding hearts....
bethradd said on November 4, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Until the ninth century marriages were not church involved. People need to do their research and not assume that marriage is religiously based. It originally wasn't. It was a contract. Many marriages based on religion were also arranged. Actually, pretty sure the bible requires marriages to be arranged and that there must be a dowry and that the man rules the woman and the children are ruled by man as well. Anyone who bases their belief structure on this book need to take a time machine back to the past. Please. Get out of my century. I am married. I did not get married in a church. And by the way, being gay is NOT a choice. No matter how many of you want to say it over and over again hoping that suddenly everyone will believe it. I really need to move to a state that has MORE of a majority of open minded, non fundamentally Christian people. I hope this passes. Oh, and by the way, this referendum does not JUST apply to guy couples. Again, PLEASE do your researc
seann7656 said on November 4, 2009 at 11:26 AM
It makes me sad to see so much intolerance and ignorance about this subject. We are in the 21st century, we should be passed this by now. Honestly what difference does it make if they want same rights or not? Gays are not forcing any of their lifestyles on anyone, They just want equality. I thought thats what made this nation so great.
bethradd said on November 4, 2009 at 11:32 AM
what seann7656 said too :) well said
runnybunny said on November 4, 2009 at 11:32 AM
???? ejr176 "Why the gay pride parades and all that. If they have to fight to be accepted in OUR society than there must be something wrong with it." Uhhhhh, MLK and Civil Rights??? uhhhh..... Women's Rights uhhhh .... Child Labor ...... These and many more have been hard won fights by the Italian immigrants, the Irish, the Chinese and on and on. They are we, as are gays and lesbians. They're fighting for something they shouldn't have to fight for in theis "free" country.
ejr176 said on November 4, 2009 at 12:01 PM
WOW....
runnybunny said on November 4, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Glad you understand now.
ejr176 said on November 4, 2009 at 1:17 PM
LMAO...you think I said wow because I now "understand". How cute!
seann7656 said on November 4, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Well, clearly we can see who the mature ones are.
runnybunny said on November 4, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Well, Love is the answer. I'm sure I'd enjoy you in person and we'd have a good laugh! Sure we disagree, but it would be fun, and I'm not gay, or delusional.
ejr176 said on November 4, 2009 at 1:53 PM
I agree to disagree runnybunny. My views may be slightly askew from others on these types of subjects, but they are MY take on things. As you and seann7656 noted, this is a free country, for now. Our beliefs and opinions make us who we are, the world would be a boring without that. I am always up for good conversation. As far as maturity...I think we all are to a point...including you know who...but I won't hold that against you...it is, after all, your opinion!
anchovers said on November 4, 2009 at 2:17 PM
How is not supporting something that is morally wrong hatred? So if that means hatred..Does that mean other people who don't support other things is hatred too? That's moreless what your applying because it's the same thing. It's not hatred to not support something that is wrong. We don't care if they come to our church, we are accepting of them..and we aren't going to judge them.
whawha said on November 4, 2009 at 2:22 PM
What on earth does being in the 21st Century have to do with this? Wrong is wrong in ANY century. All that is saying that because something was wrong in the 19th century and the 20th century that is should be ok now? So, how many more years until murder is permitted? O, come on, it's the 23rd century; it should be ok to kill people. That is like saying its ok to steal from your neighbor because he has nicer things than you do. Sheer stupidity. I have not ONCE brought religion into this thread, it is simple fundamentals, gay people can not reproduce, in order for the human race to continue, we MUST reproduce, and therefore, being gay is NOT natural. It is SIMPLE Science. 2 men lack the reproductive organs needed to reproduce. 2 women lack the reproductive organs to reproduce. There has YET to be ANY Scientific data compiled stating that people are born gay.
christian25 said on November 4, 2009 at 2:28 PM
GOD made heaven and earth he made everything. HE made a MAN and a WOMAN not looking at that scientificly it is imposible for a man and another man and a woman and another woman to make babies if god wanted same sex he would have made two same sexes. those states that already have a law that gives a right for same sex marriages have huge problem and god is punishing them. American is becomeing like the other nations. america will sufer it is coming to the end.
guest said on November 4, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Ejr176, I completely agree with what you say about this being a free country. We are all free to express our beliefs and opinions, and that is a beautiful thing. However, the beauty in freedom of opinion lies not in irreconcilable differences it creates, but in the opportunity it presents to initiate a dialogue. That is to say, that in having the opportunity to believe whatever we want, we are also given the responsibility to explain what we believe and why we believe it, in such a way that another person might look at our beliefs and understand why we hold them, even if that person does not agree. I have reasons for my beliefs, which lie in my personal experiences and in my faith. I have reasons for believing in my faith, other than that I simply believe it. Could you explain what you believe and why you believe it in such a way that someone of the opposite viewpoint might understand it, so we can all (even the opposition) try and learn something from each other?
whawha said on November 4, 2009 at 2:34 PM
In MY opinion being Gay is a choice. There is NO scientific data stating other. In my religious believe is it also wrong. Therefore I see no reason to give into the demands of people who CHOOSE to be different. If an entire group of people CHOOSE to chop off their hands then should the government get involved and make all buildings have voice activated light switches and voice activated flush toilets? NO! These people CHOSE this way of life. Where is my "straight, Christian, white, married with children" parade? NOWHERE because that would be racist, religious and discriminating. If people want to be gay that is fine with me, but don't demand rights that your CHOICES keep you from.
runnybunny said on November 4, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Science: 2 of every 1,000 people are born with both male and female organs. Many many more have male or female characteristics that are overt. There is a bell curve of variety here. What you are choosing to do is make an arbitrary decision about which people identify with which people. There are homosexuals and homosexual behavior in all animals. These things occur and are normal. They are uncommon, but normal, and have no effect on the species. Perhaps fighting against the chemicals being put into our environment that are making more males less fertile and shrinking organs would be a better direction for your deep concerns.
runnybunny said on November 4, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Oh and the God created Man and Woman......and everything under the sun......and homosexuals......... and people who can't look at a bell curve of distribution and see that when genes are randomly mixed you end up with immense variety...... some male with female characteristics and some female with male characteristics and, and, and. Why did God give us this diversity? I assume he wanted to challenge us to Love, to break through this propensity to only like what is like us..... to overcome our fear of what is different, to grow. I don't see it as hate, but if God created this immense and measurable diversity in peoples actual physical bodies, some not even identifiable as male or female why is it so hard to believe these differences can exist in more subtle ways? Science will show you this distribution. Denying it occurs is to deny God's work.
ciicfi said on November 4, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Send the all to the Bay Area
tulip56 said on November 4, 2009 at 3:18 PM
whawha....so because my husband and I can't have children, is our union wrong? How come if nature only wants things a certain way (the right way), why can't I have children? If that is the purpose of humanity, do I not have a purpose on this earth? Also, when did you DECIDE you were straight? Of all the men and women I know, it is pretty hard to force yourself to be sexually attracted to someone that you are not attracted to. Why would someone do that to themselves? My morals require me to believe that you are a resentful, bitter, chip on your shoulder white man who feels chided that he has to share this world with anyone who is different from him - even if these people have nothing to do with his own personal fulfillment in life. I am sure after you pass on in this life, what is going to matter is that you stood up for the white, straight man because you have truly been a slave to minority rights throughout your life. You will be hailed a hero. Your family must be proud.
whawha said on November 4, 2009 at 3:19 PM
runnbunny- Please provide a source for your "2 in 1000" theory. And please do not tell me how to direct my concerns. You do not know me; you do not know what groups I am affiliated with and what boards I sit on. And you have no right to tell me what I should be concerned with and what I should not be concerned with. Some could also call your "2 in 1000" theory "Freaks of nature"
guest said on November 4, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Whawha,I understand that you believe that being gay is a choice, but can you explain what has led you to believe that? If you explained that in a way that someone else could understand we might be able to work towards some mutual understanding. Runnybunny has already given a basis for the belief that homosexuality is not chosen: the fact that two in one thousand people are born with both male and female reproductive parts. Where in the development process is it assigned what gender someone is to like? I can understand why runnybunny is concerned here, but you haven't given a reason yet. !hat is your belief based on?
guest said on November 4, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Whawha, Also, I'm not really much for gay pride parades, etc myself, but I do take issue with your "nowhere do you find a straight, Christian, white, married with children parade" comment. Particularly with the white and Christian bits. 1. There may not be "white parades" because that could be considered racist, but there were at points parades for people of color who weren't being treated with equal rights, and 2. don't you think that hundreds of years ago when Christians were being persecuted and treated unfairly they congregated in a similar way? The act of coming together to try for equal rights is something that almost every social group in history has had to do. Christians, Jews, People of color, women, everyone. No one can blame homosexuals, as one of the last legally discriminated-against social groups in America for doing this same thing.
guest said on November 4, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Whawha, Also, I'm not really much for gay pride parades, etc myself, but I do take issue with your "nowhere do you find a straight, Christian, white, married with children parade" comment. Particularly with the white and Christian bits. 1. There may not be "white parades" because that could be considered racist, but there were at points parades for people of color who weren't being treated with equal rights, and 2. don't you think that hundreds of years ago when Christians were being persecuted and treated unfairly they congregated in a similar way? The act of coming together to try for equal rights is something that almost every social group in history has had to do. Christians, Jews, People of color, women, everyone. No one can blame homosexuals, as one of the last legally discriminated-against social groups in America for doing this same thing.
whawha said on November 4, 2009 at 4:11 PM
tulip, I am sorry that you can not have children. You still did things the right way. I am sorry that you see me as biter and resentful, I am not at all. I am simply tired of people telling me that I can not have pride for my race, status, religion and sexual orientation all the while telling others that are different than white, Christian, heterosexual, married people that they should proclaim their pride in their differences. But because I am different I can not proclaim MY pride without being labeled a racist or being accused of discrimination. What is the difference between a black man being proud of being black and a white man being proud of being white? NOTHING, yet people like you will scream RACIST towards the white man being proud. What is wrong with standing up for " the white, straight man"? Please tell me why it is so wrong? Or are you the typical hypocrite on these sites that only like to belittle people?
whawha said on November 4, 2009 at 4:12 PM
tulip, I am sorry that you can not have children. You still did things the right way. I am sorry that you see me as biter and resentful, I am not at all. I am simply tired of people telling me that I can not have pride for my race, status, religion and sexual orientation all the while telling others that are different than white, Christian, heterosexual, married people that they should proclaim their pride in their differences. But because I am different I can not proclaim MY pride without being labeled a racist or being accused of discrimination. What is the difference between a black man being proud of being black and a white man being proud of being white? NOTHING, yet people like you will scream RACIST towards the white man being proud. What is wrong with standing up for " the white, straight man"? Please tell me why it is so wrong? Or are you the typical hypocrite on these sites that only like to belittle people?
bruceb said on November 4, 2009 at 4:57 PM
It is not necessary to call others wrong, inferior, misguided, dangerous, or whatever in order to be proud of what you are.
edgruberman said on November 4, 2009 at 5:07 PM
"...being Gay is a choice. There is NO scientific data stating other..." So, in this case you are searching for scientific data and evidence supporting that homosexuality is, at least partially, pre-programmed instead of a choice, while, on the other hand, dismiss all of the rational scientific evidence supporting evolution? No matter what, as we can see throughout history, trying to sway someone from their deeply ingrained religious ideals is nearly impossible We know that virtually any and all reasoning (coherent or not) will be used to argue their point of view, even if it is contradictory to other arguments they have made regarding other situations...i.e., they can't believe that homosexuality may not be a choice without scientific evidence, but will immediately say that the scientific evidence of evolution cannot be believed because science is not supported by their theology. Just give up the argument, because no one from either side will budge, but realize that the vote is in
tulip56 said on November 4, 2009 at 5:23 PM
whawha - I think if anything the dialogue that has gone today throughout this thread is that we are all human and we all have our own experiences that have shaped our opions and beliefs and we need to recognize that most of us are not just "shooting from the hip" when we post our statements. We all want respect and to feel that we are listened to and that our opinions are not just tossed aside as useless ( I mean in general in our lives not just on this site). I do regret making insinuations regarding your character, I let my emotions get the best of me. I think this is a very challenging time for our country and everyone is very sensitive because there seems to be so many personal attacks on people and their beliefs and not enough solutions. I wish you the best and am thankful that we live in a country where we can discuss differences and have the opportunity to exercise our great democracy. I think it important to remember that nothing is ever as simple as it might seem.
bruceb said on November 4, 2009 at 9:43 PM
As a famous comedian once said: "What's the point of living in a democracy if I can't get what I want?"