WA state had referendum 71 on the ballot, "the everything but" measure to expand the rights of same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses, excepte that a domestic partnership is not a marriage. As of this morning it was 51% for, 49% against. They said it will be several days before they know the outcome as we vote mostly by mail-in ballots.
posted by sib4
about 1 month ago
Washington's Referendum 71 probably would have a bigger lead if it were only people on the west side of the Cascade Curtain voting. The eastern half of the state, where I live, tends to be verrrrrrrry conservative. Since Referendum 71 affects not only gay partnerships, but also elderly couples who have entered into a domestic partnership (not marriage) because of unfair Social Security regulations regarding lower payments to married people, the measure still has a chance to pass. I hope so.
Being ignorant on the topic, I have a question. There seems to be a disparity from state to state in the rights and conditions of Civil Unions.
If the terms for Civil Unions would be made exactly equal to the terms of marriage recognized in all the states, would that help?
Maybe that should be the goal of activists. It would be a step in the direction you want, right?
Separate but equal, is not equal Cresto. Never has been - never will be.
Ah!
Thanks TS. I was wondering....
There are times when the Libertarian side of my nature comes forth and suggests that perhaps it would all be for the best if the government just got out of the marriage thing entirely. It would only do civil unions.
Leave “marriage” to churches, synagogues, temples and mosques. Let the most important step, which is obtaining a license, be the key. It would become the legal contract, the one that finalizes the civil union and the one from which all legal rights would flow. This would be the case for gays and straights alike.
Then, if the couple wishes, they can go to some religious establishment, have a fancy ceremony and whoop it up. Or not. Neither I, nor anyone else, should in my opinion give a damn.
posted by Ioruach
about 1 month ago
Good point loruach. On your point, I think this is leading up to a first amendment issue. By states using a referendum to criminalize same sex marriage, isn't it also infringing on the rights of Churches who choose to conduct same sex marriages? What about equal protection under the law?
What if Southern States had a referendum on Civil Rights? Or interracial marriage? How do these differ?
Well, anyway I think we are going in the right direction. The Maine vote was at least close. Some day we will probably wonder what all the fuss was about. Oh, at least that idiot Justice of the Peace who refused to marry the mixed race couple resigned.
posted by Ioruach
about 1 month ago
WTF? Once again the very vocal, paranoid minority with their OMG! propaganda has had their way...
Did you hear about the "Third Grade anal penetration classes and demonstrations in all Maine public schools" fear mongering from the religious right last October?
Extreme religiosity has no lack of myths nor shame.
