Updated Nov 6, 2009 - 5:50 pm

Gay partnership measure approved by voters

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• Approve Referendum 71 campaign maintains lead
  
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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 the latest election results Friday, R-71 maintained its lead of 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.

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• Joeh wrote...

  passing

  I am sorry it passed, witnessing the family being undermined is heartbreaking but not surprising.

  November 6, 2009 1:10 am

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• EverettGal wrote...

  little me too....

  You may be a fair landlord, but that isn't always the case. I'm straight, but have actually been turned away from renting an apartment because it was assumed that my female roommate and I were gay. Being gay is not a good enough reason to deny anyone housing OR to fire them from a workplace. This is not another layer of bureaucracy. It is simply adding the language 'sexual orientation and gender identity' to the already existing language of 'race, creed, religion, etc.' in already existing laws.

  November 6, 2009 6:17 am

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• EverettGal wrote...

  Traditions and arguments

  The argument 'it's always been this way, and therefore it should always stay this way' is tired and worn out. It was the same argument used against emancipation and women's suffrage. The argument that 'same=sex marriages have never existed' is completely false. There are evidences of same-sex unions in seventeenth-century China, nineteenth-century Africa and in Native American society. Same-sex unions were commonplace in Roman time until the Christians showed up and outlawed them. The argument that homosexual marriage is ruining Scandinavia (which isn't even a country) is false. People are ceasing to marry in Sweden because there is simply no financial advantage in doing so. The Bible argument is laughable and ridiculous. (Stay with me, I'm not insulting the Bible) Any fool can use a Bible quote out of context to argue for or against any point. So, if you are going to take the Bible literally, and quote to me that homosexuality is an abomination, then I expect you to live by EVERY law in Leviticus.

  November 6, 2009 6:40 am

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• sp5937 wrote...

  I hate homosexuality

  Yes, I said it. And if I were a landlord and had an inkling someone were queer (gay is NOT the appropriate word) I would not rent to them. They can sue or whatever they want. I would sell my rental before I give in to their cause. And, no, I would not sell to the queer, I would burn it first. Hate, you say. Yes, to voice it again, I HATE homosexuality. With every fiber in me, I hate it. And if you "tolerant" idiots don't understand, wait till queers are able to get a church shut down because the good Bible believing preacher still preaches homosexuality is a sin. Or how about them being able to sue because a preacher won't marry them. And don't think they won't go searching out fundamental / conservative preachers to try to force the issue, just because they want to hurt everyone who does not think their lifestyle is not only protected, but also a right they can demand and force on anyone whom they will. While they are marching on with their "rights", these marches and parades of queers won't just be a march or parade, it will be next a "right" to do their sexual deviancy in public in front of your kids with impunity. And you "tolerant" folks and the politicians will wonder how did it ever get to this....

  November 6, 2009 7:51 am

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• sp5937 wrote...

  Everettgal

  You are probably a queer. No, the stand the Bible takes is NOT laughable nor ridiculous (except to someonw who does not want to live it nor believe it). And if you knew ANYTHING about the Bible, you would know that the laws in Leviticus (OLD TESTAMENT)are not meant to be followed explicitly any longer, at least not all of them. Jesus came to FULFILL the law. The law was the OT way of bringing salvation to those in that time. Jesus died for sinners and bled His ROYAL PRECIOUS blood and became the sacrificial lamb so that we could have eternal life IF WE CHOOSE TO BELIEVE ON HIM AS THE SCRIPTURES HAVE SAID!!! It was said that the whole law can be fulfilled in two commandments...1) That you love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul. 2) That you love your neighbor as yourself. If these were followed, no other law would be required, for they would all be fulfilled. Yes, I know I wrote to love your neighbor as yourself. But, I did not write to love your neighbor's abomination. And yes, even after thousands of years, the word abomination still means that God hates it. ABOMINABLE AMOMINATION, is exactly what God sees it as, and always will, for God does not change. His Word will always be true, and it will judge everyone who chooses to live in the abominable lifestyle of an animalistic queer.

  November 6, 2009 8:00 am

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• EverettGal wrote...

  sp5937

  Thank you for being honest and speaking your personal truth. But please don’t hide behind ridiculous arguments. I’m not Catholic and would never be allowed to marry in a Catholic church. Should I sue them? Maybe I should march down to the mosque and demand that I be allowed to be married there too? There is always someone on the extreme end of something that is going to have to push an issue. Additionally, preachers are human just like us and interpret the ‘word of God’ through their own life experiences. If you were a preacher, you would preach hate toward homosexuals. If I was a preacher, I would preach that we are all inherently worthy. Religions will always have right to maintain their beliefs and traditions, but some of those beliefs are changing within the church, alongside societal norms.

  November 6, 2009 8:14 am

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• EverettGal wrote...

  response

  1. I’m not queer, the thought of kissing another girl kinda grosses me out. 2. I tend to stay away from any religious arguments as they are unwinnable on all accounts. However, I stopped at Starbucks today and I’m pretty sugared up.

  I did not say ‘the stand the Bible takes is laughable’ I said ‘using the Bible’ to denounce homosexuality is a ridiculous argument if you are going to pick and choose verses to suit your needs. I’m not Christian and I have absolutely no need to pour thru the Bible or any other religious text in order to prove a point. You have tried to use the Bible as an argument and you have already completely contradicted yourself. “God does not change” AND “And if you knew ANYTHING about the Bible, you would know that the laws in Leviticus (OLD TESTAMENT) are not meant to be followed explicitly any longer, at least not all of them.” See? Ridiculous and unwinnable. I am more touched by what came from your gut, “I hate homosexuals.” Why? And answer with your gut, and your life experiences, not your Bible.

  November 6, 2009 8:33 am

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• wsualumn wrote...

  Congratulations Washington State

  I am even more thankful that I live in a state that doesn't discriminate. We have a lot to proud of. I see the losers are out with their typical promotion of fear and warped thinking. Many, for some strange reason can't separate pedophiles and beastiality from homosexuality. Most of them are from the far right and listen to Rush Limbaugh. I wonder if they will take the same advice he gave the dems in 96: It's time for the losers to shut up and go home.

  November 6, 2009 8:38 am

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• ratbob wrote...

  big bummer

  EverettGal- I don't like the new law. Mostly because now queer is a "protected class." Soon that will mean a preacher who refuses to marry 2 queers will be put in jail for acting on their religious beliefs. That doesn't seem fair to me- does it to you? This already happens in Canada. The other reason I don't like it is because it is a fundamental change in the value system of this country- a system which has made this country the envy of the world. If you want to live in a place that tolerates queer marriage, there are plenty of options without damaging this one. Also, please don't equate queer with women/minority rights. Queer is a behavior. Female and black are njot behaviors.

  November 6, 2009 9:21 am

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• SiCoFgOvErNmEnT wrote...

  Yeah losers hide behind your religion! EVERETTGAL I AGREE WITH YOU! SP YOUR A IDIOT!

  It's all hate, I don't care what any of you idiots say from what I've been reading sure your using, and hiding behind bible thumping versus. But you show it enough, calling people queers and fags, and so on isn't helping a thing. Like or not people are starting to realize we can't keep telling others what to do just because of a religion that we don't even know is true!! But that's another issue for another day! Why don't you worry about your own lives, and stop name calling you sound like a bunch of HOMOPHOBIC HIGH SCHOOL KIDS! LOSERS! PERIOD! LOSERS! Yeah I know that's a hateful word, but nothing I've said here is any worse then what I have been reading!

  November 6, 2009 9:33 am

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