Referendum 71 Approved in Washington State

Voters in Washington state have approved Referendum 71, the AP reports:

"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."

Election '09 Results - Some 'Maine' Bullet Points

So, some bad news and some good news. Here are the major races we were watching on the liveblog last night, which was a huge success. We had over 12,000 participants and were the third most trafficked "Cover it Live" election event last night (after RightWingPundit and Asbury Park Press) Thanks to all of you who participated. You can read the archived replay below, if you're so interested.

Sadly, Question 1 in Maine was approved by voters by 53 - 47%.

Things are looking good for Referendum 71 in Washington state.

The anti-discrimination ordinance passed in Kalamazoo, Michigan by a wide margin.

Republican Chris Christie defeated Democrat Jon Corzine in New Jersey.

Republican Bob McDonnell defeated Democrat Creigh Deeds in Virginia.

Lesbian Annise Parker is in a run-off for Mayor of Houston with Gene Locke after getting the most votes.

Michael Bloomberg defeated William Thompson for mayor, in a race that was much, much tighter than most thought it would be.

Democrat Bill Owens defeated Conservative Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 race which Republican Dede Scozzafava dropped out of earlier this week.

In smaller races, Charles Pugh became the first openly gay city council member in Detroit, the Akron, Ohio city council elected its first lesbian member, and James Llanas in Maplewood, Minnesota fought off some hideous anti-gay attacks to win a seat on that city's council. There were, of course, many more races than I can list here. If there's one in your area that you'd like folks to know about, please post it in the comments.

"No on 1" campaign manager Jesse Connolly released a statement last night:

"Tonight, hundreds of thousands of Maine voters stood for equality, but in the end, it wasn't enough.

"I am proud of the thousands of Mainers who knocked on doors, made phone calls and talked to their family, friends and neighbors about the basic premise of treating all Maine families equally.

"And I'm proud of this campaign because the stories we told and the images we shared were of real Mainers -- parents who stood up for their children, and couples who simply wanted to marry the person they love.

"We're in this for the long haul. For next week, and next month, and next year-- until all Maine families are treated equally.  Because in the end, this has always been about love and family and that will always be something worth fighting for."

Photo of Connolly by Rex Wockner. His report from the ground in Maine is here.

Stephen Colbert Takes on Referendum 71 and Marriage Rights

 

Stephen Colbert took on Referendum 71 in Washington last night.

"I say if it looks like a duck, and files a joint tax return like a duck, and gets to visit its duck partner in a duck hospital, you might as well register at the duck Pottery Barn because it is gay duck marriage."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

In R-71 news, a poll released yesterday showed Referendum 71 ahead by a 17 point spread (53% in favor, 36% against). This is obviously great news, but it's important not to become complacent.

Donate to Approve Referendum 71 HERE.

Anti-Gays Release Homophobic Emails and Video in R-71 Battle

Protect Marriage Washington is busy sending out homophobic emails and posting videos full of falsehoods regarding Referendum 71.

Their latest email, a letter from State Senator Val Stevens, reads, in part:  "Could this be the final battle? Are the homosexuals finally going to take control of our culture and push their depraved lifestyle on our children and families? ... Passed last spring in the legislature, SB5688 would strip away the protections of traditional marriage that were ensured with the passage of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) just a few short years ago... Do you realize what is going on here? Consider the following: In 1970, (on the heels of a 'free love' 60's radical culture) sodomy laws were repealed in Washington State, with government turning a blind eye to a behavior commonly considered perversion - and still the case with a majority of Americans..."

It then goes on about NAMBLA and the 'protected class status' of gays. Joe Mirabella at the Seattle PI takes it apart.

Below, Protect Marriage Washington has posted the video on the left, full of lies, on its website. And on the right, the latest ad from the "Approve R-71"  side.

News: R-71, Gordon Brown, D.C., David Hockney, Will Young, Toronto

Justice Kennedy refers R-71 names case to full Supreme Court?

Excitement over Thai AIDS vaccine fades: "Now, two other analyses of the trial data suggests that the results could have been due to pure chance, and therefore the vaccine may not have conferred protection to people after all. The additional data are published today in the New England Journal of Medicine and will be more fully discussed today by researchers attending an AIDS meeting in Paris."

Twins wreak havoc on X-Factor with their cover of "Oops, I Did It Again".

Toronto chosen for World Pride 2014.

Man pleads guilty to 2008 gay bashing in Springville, New York.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown backs opening Parliament to gay weddings: "The Prime Minister will insist that it is unfair only heterosexual couples can marry inside the Palace of Westminster. Mr Brown will be speaking at a Parliamentary inquiry into how to increase the representation of gay people, ethnic minorities, women and the disabled at Westminster."

Joss Whedon to direct Glee.

Daniel Radcliffe purchases third NYC residence.

Threats on President's life up 400%: "The Boston Globe reports that a new internal Congressional Research Service report and government sources say there are an unprecedented number of death threats against President Obama -- and that the Secret Service is insufficiently funded and staffed to deal with them."

Astronomers find 32 planets outside our solar system.

Transgender woman found strangled to death in her flat in Brighton, UK by firefighters responding to a blaze. Police have arrested a 42-year-old man: "The body of Andrea Waddell, 29, who had a masters degree and worked as a prostitute, was found just before midnight on Thursday by firefighters. The man in custody, from Brighton, was held on Saturday night, police said."

Big Brother 9 winner Adam Jasinski used his $500,000 prize to fuel his oxycodone drug-dealing business.

Elvis hair: it sells for $15,000.

John Mayer releases augmented reality music video.

More of Lance Bass in the boxing ring.

Character on Law and Order: SVU to come out of the closet.

Inside David Hockney's iPhone obsession.

D.C. activists oppose phase-out of domestic partnerships, fearing that failure of same-sex marriage law would leave gays and lesbians with nothing.

Singer Will Young guest edits Attitude magazine: "Explaining why he took on the job, Will says: 'The first time I bought Attitude I was 15 and Chris O'Donnell was dressed as Robin on the front cover. I didn't know it was a gay magazine at the time. It is never easy adjusting to being different but things have changed so quickly over the last 10 years. I dedicate this issue to the people who were at the forefront of that change by being brave enough to be themselves."

Adam Lambert album to be called For Your Entertainment.

Fashion chat: Paul Smith blabs with Simon Doonan.

Lesbian couple attacked in Brighton, UK: " The couple, who are aged 18 and 22, were walking hand in hand at about 3am on October 7. When they turned towards the three men shouting homophobic insults at them, two of the men attacked them, punching them both in the head. Even when the young women begged the third man, who had a large brown dog, to stop his friends, he did not intervene."

Justice Kennedy Intervenes, Keeping Names of R-71 Signers Private

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has stepped in to stop Washington state officials from making public the names of signers of the petition to place Referendum 71, the measure which puts the state's "everything but marriage" domestic partnership law before voters, on the ballot in November.

The AP reports: "Kennedy's ruling Monday temporarily blocks a federal appeals court ruling last week that ordered the release of the names. Kennedy said his order would remain in effect while he considers a request by a pro-marriage group that asked him to reverse the appeals court ruling...In September, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle temporarily barred state officials from releasing the identities of those who signed the referendum petitions. Settle held that releasing the names could chill the First Amendment rights of petition signers...The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Settle's decision last week. The appeals court said Washington's secretary of state can release the names and addresses of people who signed petitions calling for a public vote."

A written response from state officials was requested by Kennedy today.