Same Sex marriage
Supporters of R-74 celebrate early election reults Tuesday night at the Westin Hotel. (KIRO Radio/Bill Lennert)

Gay marriage supporters declare victory in R-74

BY MyNorthwest.com  on November 6, 2012 @ 4:10 pm (Updated: 5:26 am - 11/8/12 )

Supporters of gay marriage in Washington state say after crunching numbers throughout the night, they have determined that Referendum 74 will prevail once all ballots are counted. Voters passed similar measures in Maine and Maryland.

Check live results

With slightly more than half of expected ballots tallied Tuesday night, R-74 entered Wednesday with 52 percent of the vote, compared to 48 percent for those opposed. When the ballot count was released Wednesday evening, the percentage remained unchanged.

"This is a clear win," Washington United for Marriage Campaign Manager Zach Silk said in a statement. "We have run the numbers every which way, and we can now confidently say that we have won. This is an historic day for Washington, an historic day for our country and, most of all, for families across the state who have dreamed of this day and the wedding celebrations to come."

The group opposed to R-74, Preserve Marriage Washington, said the campaign was still too close to call.

"There is still a path to victory for us," said Chip White, Preserve Marriage Washington spokesperson. "I think people need to respect the process and wait for the ballots to come in."

Eleven counties will return remaining ballots starting at 4:00 p.m. PST.

The measure asked Washingtonians to approve or reject a state law legalizing same-sex marriage that lawmakers passed earlier in the year. That law was signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire, but has been on hold pending the outcome of the election.

The road to gay marriage in Washington state began several years ago.

A year after the state's gay marriage ban was upheld by the state Supreme Court, the state's first domestic partnership law passed in 2007, granting couples about two dozen rights, including hospital visitation and inheritance rights when there is no will. It was expanded a year later, and then again in 2009, when lawmakers completed the package with the so-called "everything but marriage" bill that was ultimately upheld by voters later that same year.

This year, after lawmakers passed the law allowing gay marriage, Preserve Marriage gathered enough signatures for a referendum.

If voters uphold the law, gay couples could start picking up their marriage certificates and licenses from county auditor offices Dec. 6, a day after the election is certified. However, because Washington state has a three-day waiting period, the earliest the certificate could be signed, making the marriage valid, is Dec. 9.

"The reality is, if we could pass this thing, we have young people all over this country they're going to wake up knowing that they're going to be fully recognized. Their relationships are going to be validated and they're going to be a part of an institution that everyone else is a part of," said Lacey All, R-74 campaign chair.

The law does not require religious organizations or churches to perform marriages, and does not subject churches to penalties if they don't marry gay or lesbian couples.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (79)


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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Did any of the PRO Homosexual group even read the ballot initiative?
    November 7, 2012 11:40 am
    If you had, and understood it, your would see that it did more that just alter the state definition of and recognition of marriage.

    How many of you EVEN voted?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Booger Barnes wrote...
    I did
    November 7, 2012 12:00 pm
    I read it and understood it. That's why I voted for it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Angry Monkey wrote...
    Oh man!
    November 7, 2012 1:58 pm
    This is going to be great. Tell me Ha Ha, what exactly did this bill alter besides "the state definition of and recognition of marriage"? Please, enlighten me.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Gar57
    November 7, 2012 11:43 am
    Since you voted for it(I assume!) then you can pay for it.

    Eventually we all will!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    Why is this so hard for everyone?
    November 7, 2012 1:52 pm
    This whole situation can be fixed very simply. Remove marriage as the LEGAL standard for defining all things relationship, and replace it with civil union. All laws and benefits now apply equally to both gay and straight couples, who would be legally identified as "civil partners". One very clear defined line that does not give any one group special treatment over any other group. No more denial of spousal benefits for those in the military simply because they cannot be legally united with the person they love. No keeping someone from comforting their significant other in a hospital room, simply because they're not married. If you ask most gay people, that's all they really want - equality. So, you remove marriage as the legal union standard, and you give it to those who wish to keep marriage strictly for straight couples. That way, marriage itself is preserved, making the religious organizations happy, but it no longer has a legal bearing on unions in the US, allowing equality and making gays happy. This SHOULD be a satisfactory answer for everyone, but we all know that isn't true. There are extremists on both sides who won't be satisfied until they completely get their way, screwing over the other side in the process, and it's sad. So to all you religous zealouts out there who hide behind wanting to preserve marriage: we know you're just afraid to lose what little power you have left to us forward thinkers who truly believe in FULL separation of church and state. STOP IT! Also, to all you warmongering homos out there who feel it's your life mission to force your lifestyle down everyone's throat: Grow up! We as a society should demand equality for you, and we should accept that you are who you are. We should not be forced to see you and your partner parade down the street (I mean at normal times, NOT during the pride parade, of course) and showing a complete lack of tact with your completely inappropriate public attire and over-the-top PDA. STOP IT! Most of us out there DO have a certain level of respect for the other's point of view, even if we disagree with it. Let's try to remember that we all just want to be respected, and treated with fairness. Let's finally move forward into the 21st century, and allow everyone to celebrate their civil unions with their loved ones.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stevebo wrote...
    I voted to approve R74 and will be happy when it passes!
    November 7, 2012 2:02 pm
    I also have some gay/lesbian friends that will be very happy as well.

    I'm extremely happy for them!

    By the way, when it does pass... I'll still be married to my wife... contrary to what the people decrying "boogeyman" are saying...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Stevebo
    November 7, 2012 2:38 pm
    Exactly what is in this bill that would make them so happy?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Mark my words:
    November 7, 2012 2:39 pm
    November 7th 2012!

    This will not be the last we hear of this issue and those related to it. Just as the "everything but marriage" was not good enough, this community will push and cry for more.

    Openly proud and perverted people are never content with what they have, even when they have it all! Guaranteed!

    Laugh if you will, mock me and marginalize my words if you insist. But in a little while, as always, you will recognize the genius that I am..... ;-)

    No explanation nor qualifying my words are necessary. Just sit back and watch this unfold before your very eyes......

    Again, November 7th 2012

    And yes, you are welcome in advance.....

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GhostofHunterSThompson wrote...
    Well...duh
    November 7, 2012 3:35 pm
    Because asking for equal rights is asking for too much?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stevebo wrote...
    Re: It's Me
    November 7, 2012 2:41 pm
    What will make them happy?

    I thought it was obvious.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • grrtime wrote...
    What ever, it doesn't change anything
    November 7, 2012 3:13 pm
    The hobos can think they won one here, but in essence, it doesn't change anything. Marriage is an institution of God, not of man. And God doesn't recognize the abomination of this sin.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GhostofHunterSThompson wrote...
    I suppose you believe in the tooth fairy as well...
    November 7, 2012 3:32 pm
    Why not just come out and say that you are a bigoted swine instead of hiding behind your make believe God? It's funny how those who are ignorant and refuse to change always use their God as an excuse to continue to be an idiot. I haven't seen God strike us down yet and that is likely due to the fact he doesn't exist.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dan1 wrote...
    I ASK
    November 7, 2012 8:05 pm
    How can a man look at another man's hairy BUTT and find love?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Danutdlp wrote...
    Dan1
    November 7, 2012 9:55 pm
    I completely agree with you. What gays and lesbians do is REVOLTING.....This country is going down the toilet...I've had the unfortunate experience of working with and in the homes of gays and lesbians. (without knowing) Im telling you, the air in the house, the mood and the atmosphere are so different... The air I would breathe was revolting and the mood was so depressing. Just a while ago I was with my wife strolling around the mall and came across two young gay men smooching in the middle of the mall... We both almost threw up. Why do you gays have to be so disrespectful to the majority of the population? Homo's had all the same rights and benefits as anyone else.. Why did they need to redefine marriage? It was just so they can say "In your face" its just a self esteem issue. They are so depressed by their demonic pleasures that they have to keep on doing something to everyone that opposes them, so they can feel better. You know what will be next? Making it law to have teachers teach 1st graders that its normal for some students to have mothers and mothers and fathers and fathers... Making it illegal to speak against gays.. Taking away the churches right not to recognize gay marriage... etc... gays will never be satisifed. They will always want more and more. You know what I say? Gays and lesbians can GO TO HEL1 AND BURN THERE FOREVER. What I despise of most is liberal churches that accept gays.. Dont understand this.. if a church claims to believe and teach the bible... how do they explain the passages in the bible condemning homesexuality? GAYS AND LESBIANS: GO TO HEL1 AND BURN THERE FOREVER
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Booger Barnes wrote...
    Bible passages...
    November 8, 2012 7:08 am
    So, you are using the bible to make your intolerance or hate acceptable? Ok, I can live with that. Are you also willing to kill your neighbor for working on Sunday (Exodus 35:2)? You shouldn’t have a problem when I sell my daughter into slavery as Exodus 21:7 says is just fine to do. Or do you just cheery pick the passages that make you feel good? Either way, it will keep me warm at night knowing how much two consenting adults actions tick you off. Good luck with all of that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    Time for them to bust out the champagne
    November 7, 2012 10:07 pm
    And pour a glass "Bruno" style!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }