OLYMPIA, Wash. - 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, which includes Seattle and holds about a third of the state's voters. Eastern Washington counties were overwhelmingly voting to reject, as were counties in southwest Washington.
"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. Voters in Maine on Tuesday repealed a gay marriage law that was passed by the Legislature there earlier this year.
archlaw1 said on November 3, 2009 at 8:54 PM
I saw that. Good job, King5-website-people, quickly fixing the "Referendum 71 rejected" to Referendum 71 approved."
vargonian said on November 3, 2009 at 9:08 PM
We should never legislate based on superstition, and while I'm happy to see promising initial indications, it's still disturbing that the margin of approval pf R-71 isn't much bigger.
tgrumpy110 said on November 3, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Referendum 71 being approved by voters.That is so sad what are people thinking why pass somthing this stupid the BIBLE STATES THAT A MARRIAGE IS BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMEN. HOW HARD IS IT TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
georgebuford said on November 3, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Sorry folks - your imaginary friends do not dictate the rules here. Keep in mind that if there had been no religion, the twin towers would still be standing today. "The facts don't do what I want them to" -- The Talking Heads
loveisloveperiod said on November 3, 2009 at 9:49 PM
I am happy to see that it is passing thus far, I was hoping that it would be sky rocketing with approval. I know it is a hard thing for people to try and think about due to their views with God and the homosexuals. My only question for people is why does it matter if the me and my partner have the same rights why would that put your marriage or relationship in danger? You have to take away the God issue out of it. It is not about eternity of people it is about do they as humans deserve to have the same rights. For those that feel that religion should be brought into it or have a problem with it due to their faith needs to look at it this way. If you were denied rights because of your faith would that be fair? Would God really want you to tell others they do not deserve to be happy? Does God really ask you to shame and harm others because you disagree with them? Did Jesus deny people happiness because they did not follow him? A lot to think about right?
come2reality said on November 3, 2009 at 9:50 PM
tgrumpy110 Leviticus 19:27 (King James Version) Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. I'm willing to bet that you cut your hair even though... BIBLE STATES YOU SHALL NOT CUT YOUR HAIR. HOW HARD IS IT TO UNDERSTAND THAT?
lucifur5106 said on November 3, 2009 at 9:51 PM
grumpy, why dont you actually read about 71 before you make your comments. Its not allowing marriage between same sex, just the rights that married couples have. Please try to not be so ignorant.
issfamily0626 said on November 3, 2009 at 9:54 PM
HOW HARD IS IT TO UNDERSTAND THAT religion does not trump constitutional rights?
come2reality said on November 3, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Why is it religious people only chose to follow what they see fit to follow when it comes to the bible? Leviticus 19:27 (King James Version) Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. Why arent these people who are screaming about this marriage definition from the bible also screaming at all those who get hair cuts? Religion has no place in making laws and shame on anyone who wants to impose their Religious beliefs on my civil liberties.
loveisloveperiod said on November 3, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Why does this offend so many people? Why does it make people feel that if this passed that the world would just end? The USA thought that marriage was between same race for years.. now we know that was a crazy thing to think of so why is it such a big deal how does this put your marriage or life into this huge deal or unhappy state.
tgrumpy110 said on November 3, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I am saying why do you need the same rights that people who follow god law. you will be judged someday for something that he states is wrong. I am so tired of people screaming they need something cause other people do things the way they are supposed to be done.. no i am not prejudice My sister is a lesbiean and I have good friends that are too they know how I feel and I know how they feel it is called freedom of speech
hoovertac said on November 3, 2009 at 10:19 PM
It'd sure be nice to see a discusion about gay rights not hijacked by Bible quotes.
naborsfan said on November 3, 2009 at 10:24 PM
I think we should let Idaho have the eastern part of the state! Slowly but surely we are making progress to equal civil rights. Praises to forward thinkers who voted YES on 71
srsrsrsrs84 said on November 3, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I'm for equal rights and think it is a good thing that this is passing, but just so that some of you who are arguing against religion using Leviticus is not a valid argument because the New Testament clearly states that the laws of Moses, of which Leviticus is a part, are not necessary for salvation. That argument is only feasable to someone trying to live by the Torah, a jew, not a Christian, more specifically a gentile Christian. Their arguement of homosexuality being a sin comes from the New Testement, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy. Just thought you should also have the facts before you try and argue an invalid point.
jr2006 said on November 4, 2009 at 9:29 AM
It is still to close to call, and I hope this Referendem-71 gets rejected. I am not against gay marriage even though I believe in traditional marriges. I feel very stongly that if you are not married,then you should not have the same those benefits. If this passes, then some day down the road boyfriends and girlfriends who live together are going to try to get these benefits. Two people living together gay or straight but not married can get the same benefits as married people. Is that fair or equal? If gay people want those benefits then why dont try to pass gay marriages?
pupsncats said on November 4, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Still could go either way with only 50% of the votes counted. I think it should be illegal for out-of-state individuals and groups to make contributions for or against any referendum and initiative that changes state laws which they ;would not have to abide by or live under.
pupsncats said on November 4, 2009 at 10:01 AM
It still could go either way with only 50% of the vote counted. I think it should be illegal for out-of-state individuals and groups to make contributions to referendum and initiatives that change state laws when they will not have to live under them or pay for their consequences. With that said, the legislature by passing this law, discriminates against heterosexuals under age 62 who care just as much about someone else as married couples and gays. So those voting for Referendum 71 are voting for discrimination.
no2mobrule said on November 4, 2009 at 11:41 AM
The agrument that gay marriage would weaken the institution of marriage is unreasonable. And we've heard this before. It's like saying, 'if a minority moves in next door the property values will go down'. Too many among the married class wants to put a sign on their club house that reads 'no gays allowed.' Constituionally this argument doesnt have a leg to stand on, so we see dogma and old fashioned mob rule do the dirty work of discrimination. Just becase the Mob Speaks, doesnt make the mob right. As long as the LGBTQ community continues to challenge Mob Rule Democracy (which allowed for things like slavery, segregation, forced relocation, denying women the right to vote & so on.) we risk losses like we've seen in Maine & California while reinforcing the myth that the mob is in charge. The Constitution is in charge, not the personal views of voters who choose to have a visceral reaction to gay people.
collegeguy said on November 4, 2009 at 12:40 PM
pupsncats, wow, turn a vote to stop discrimination into a vote for discrimination is just a joke. People under 62 already have these right and as anyone who is hetero of any age still has these rights. This law will not change that. Since people who are ignorant will not allow full on marriage for gay couples, we should make civil unions the equivalant to marriage so they are allowed the same rights. That way for those couples who do not want to get married, they can get the same right as everyone else regardless of sexual preference. We wouldn't even be having this conversation if people actually read their bibles. The wack jobs who think that just because homosexuality is a sin they should not be allowed to marry did not mean that God wants us to be filled with hatred and treat them as a second class Citizen. The fact is very clear in the bible when it says "Love thy neighbor as you love thyself" (considering that is the Great Commandment).
kalmal22 said on November 4, 2009 at 12:51 PM
People that are rejecting R71 need to get a life and worry about their own lives. This doesn't affect anyone but the same sex couples and the elderly that have registered as Domestic Partners. There is no reason that everyone shouldn't be treated equally. This is 2009 for cripes sakes, get a clue people. I read that someone was quoting the bible on marriage. Well, the bible is just a book that was written just like Disney books are written. Those that preach the bible and religion are usually the biggest hypocrites when it comes to following what they preach. So, I think it is a wonderful thing if R71 passes so everyone can have the same rights. Love is love and if you are lucky enough to find it you should be treated equally no matter what your choice.
cwustudent said on November 4, 2009 at 1:17 PM
the underlying issue here, which is why christians are so opposed to this i think is because the premise of "marriage" was created in the bible, it is a religious thing. Have you ever been to a wedding that was not some kind of religious ceremony. there fore they feel as if people that they cannot accept are taking something that belongs to them. myself, i am jewish, and altho i have nothing against homosexuals, i am not one, nor would my religion ever allow me to be one, i know and am friends with them, and even though i voted against r-71 it is not because i do not think that they should have rights, but the should be seperate from the entire idea of marriage, live and let live, mozoltov!
jlanecg said on November 4, 2009 at 5:41 PM
I'm actually surprised that it took Washington state this long to pass this sort of referendum considering all the "forward thinkers" that live in the state. Fortunately, laws don't change feelings and/or beliefs, and for the people who CHOOSE this lifestyle, congratulations! I can hear it now, "it's not a choice", BS!
alivia said on November 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM
If R-71 will be aproved I really hope they can do something like was done in California. I don't want my kids to be thought in school about homesectuality. It's been always the same man and woman make a family, why are we changing things around. It would be better to pay attention to our economy and try to fix it, not to vote for stupid laws that wont do any better. I know that some gays and lesbians want this to happen badly, but they better remember that this can lead us to something that happend to sadom and gomorah. Some people don't beleive in bible, but some fact are showing that it's not just a story its a fact.
kbatku said on November 4, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Homosexuality IS a choice!! Homosexuals can pretend to be heterosexual - many have for years!! If they suppress their sexual urges, it would be a lot more comfortable for the rest of us!! Many thanks in advance!!!