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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• EverettGal wrote...

  Ratbob

  I’m sorry to hear you don’t like the new law. However, the new law (R-71) that just took place does NOT make sexual orientation (SO) a protected class. SO has been a protected class in Wa. State for a few years now. Please read my previous posts concerning gay marriages (or my own non-believing heterosexual marriage) in church. I feel that your fears are unfounded. Please also read my previous post about traditions. Yes, change is scary. Moreover, our value system is not the envy of the world. It is actually quite perplexing to many other westernized countries (Europe, Australia, NZ, Canada and the like) why we are so opposed to giving equal rights and opportunities to all of our citizens in such realms as same-sex marriage and universal health care. However, you have touched on the very essence of how our beliefs differ. You believe that sexual orientation is a choice, I do not. With every fiber of my being, I know that people do not choose. So for me it is truly a fight for civil and equal rights for all Americans and for you it is a fight against what you see as a lifestyle that you don’t agree with.

  November 6, 2009 9:53 am

  121153

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• SoundDesigner wrote...

  sp5937

  I suggest you go to your bible and read Matthew 7. Should you truly want to hear God's word and stand in His light you are not in a position to pass judgement on others. To those who claim that any church will be shut down or pastors jailed for failing to perform a gay marriage, that is just plain crazy.

  November 6, 2009 10:00 am

  121159

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• ratbob wrote...

  Thanks EverettGal

  for the reasoned response (unlike the previos person who fights name-calling with name-calling...) I'm time-constrained but promise to re-read your posts and reconsider my response. However, I wanted to point out a few things: 1. Change is OK- it is the nature of life. However, not all change is good. I believe the queer agenda is in the business of incremental change and defeating R-71 was another step. What is next? 2. I do believe the US is the envy of the world- the freedom/protections/opportunity we enjoy in America is unprecedented in world history- ever heard of the :Hungarian Dream" or the "New Zealand Dream?" Unfortunately our responsibilities are not taken quite as seriously- but that is a different discussion. 3. Whether SO is genetic or chosen is not the issue for me; either way it is a behavior. That is a distinct difference from being female or black.

  November 6, 2009 10:09 am

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• SeattleNative wrote...

  "Rights"

  This law has nothing to do with "rights". I defy anybody to find any constitutional "rights" this law provides, whether US or Washington State Constitution. I also defy anyone to find any constitutional "rights" that were denied to anybody prior to this law. And the last I saw, the Constitution is the overriding law of the land.

  This law has nothing to do with "equal rights". It has everything to do with the will of a few being forced on the many. It will also be found unconstitutional because it provides special legal opportunities to certain classes of people not provided to other classes of people.

  November 6, 2009 10:10 am

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• WB wrote...

  Next Stop - Polygamy

  As we water down the definition of "committed relationship" in Washington it will be very difficult for the state to stop polygamists from demanding similar "rights". I am sure we will soon see litigation that uses the rational of this law to say that so long as participants are committed, consenting and registered the the number of participants and their orientation should not matter.

  November 6, 2009 11:22 am

  121229

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• EverettGal wrote...

  hmmm..

  "It will also be found unconstitutional because it provides special legal opportunities to certain classes of people not provided to other classes of people."

  ..kinda like MARRIAGE SeattleNative?

  November 6, 2009 11:32 am

  121236

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• EverettGal wrote...

  Thanks Ratbob

  I'll get to your post a little later as well. Darn work!! Getting in my way of an interesting debate...

  November 6, 2009 11:33 am

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• Rick (4) wrote...

  Christians pick and choose what part of the Bible,

  they want to live by. If you are truly a Christian, you live by just the teaching of Christ and most likely do not oppose gay rights. If on the other hand, you are Christian of the church who uses passages in the old testiment to suit your beliefs and deregard the rest of the old testiment because you say it is outdated, then you oppose gay rights. IMO, God does not care if you are straight or gay, and could careless if they marry as long as they spreads God's love and not hatred.

  November 6, 2009 11:43 am

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• SeattleNative wrote...

  EverettGal

  Laws surrounding marriage do not discriminate. Marriage is available to all consenting adults. Everyone is free to marry someone of the opposite sex. However, this law grants special rights to seniors and homosexuals that are not granted to heterosexual couples under the age of 62.

  November 6, 2009 12:11 pm

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• SeattleNative wrote...

  Rick

  From all accounts, Jesus was a Jew who was intimately familiar with and regularly quoted Judaic scripture. As such, it would be a major stretch of the imagination to think that he approved of homosexuality. He said above all to love God, and to love your neighbor as yourself. He also said to minister to those who are imprisoned. But he did NOT say that means we should accept a person's actions if they go against the laws of God and nature.

  November 6, 2009 12:22 pm

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