OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Washington state voters have approved the state's new "everything but marriage" law, marking a significant expansion of rights for gay couples who are registered as domestic partners.
National gay-rights groups say the passage of Referendum 71 marks the first time a state's voters have approved a gay equality measure at the ballot box.
With about 69 percent of the expected vote counted Thursday in unofficial returns, R-71 was leading 52 percent to 48 percent.
The measure asked voters to approve or reject the latest expansion of the state's domestic partnership law, granting registered domestic partners additional state rights previously given only to married couples.
Full-fledged gay marriage is still not allowed under Washington law.
cmcinnis said on November 6, 2009 at 7:12 AM
I am greatly saddened that the citizens of this state do not understand what this will do to out next generation. Allowing gay couples the right to adopt children and therefore growing up with very confused parents is a great tragedy. The children of this state have been dealt a great wrong.
hologram5 said on November 6, 2009 at 7:34 AM
I don't understand why people just can't mind their own business and don't worry what people do behind closed doors. This will not affect anyone in anyway. It only affects those who LET IT AFFECT them. Please, give me a break. The people have voted, now let it go and mind your own business.
joemal said on November 6, 2009 at 12:48 PM
It's people like cmcinnis that are truly confused... I am proud of the state of Washington for keeping this law on the books. I know too many straight couples that bring tragic heartache to their families with infidelity and out right child abuse. So for people like cmcinnis to spill out words like this means that person and people like this a the true tragedies of a welcoming and just society.
andiamotodd said on November 6, 2009 at 2:28 PM
It is the bigotry and hatred of those like cmcinnis that I'm thankful I can teach my son to know is wrong. Have you ever seen any protests by gays or lesbians about how many straight people there are? Have you ever seen an athiest, but for the extreme lunatic fringe perhaps, protesting religion outside a church? Why do gay rights opponents care that others aren't like them? It sounds a lot like the Christians of the Crusades or the modern day Muslim extremist. Who's teaching hatred here...
vampitup said on November 7, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I am so proud of washington for passing this! america is making great progress to becoming a free country and giving the full meaning of "liberty and justice FOR ALL" who would have thought that we would havea black president? its truely amazing and now hopefully people can learn to accept the gay community... all they do is spread love and its a beautiful thing! thank you to everyone who voted approve on this!
azdreams69 said on November 17, 2009 at 7:32 PM
I know this is late but I am proud that the people in WA passed this. I believe that the Gay Community should have the same rights as the rest of us. It wasn't long ago that interracial marriages were looked upon with distain, but we as a society have learned to accept this. Why should it be so hard to accept that people have the right to live how they want no matter what their sexual orientation is? As Vampitup stated " Who would have thought we would have a africian american president?" Let alone a biracial president.