The R-71 Results: It's Over, Gay Rights Won

By Erica C. Barnett, Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 5:01 PM
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Referendum 71, which upholds gay domestic-partner rights, is still winning, by an even larger margin than before: 52.44 percent (662,126 votes) “approve” to 47.56 percent (600,489 votes against). That’s a gain of 22,088 votes over yesterday’s count. Moreover, the margin is moving in R-71′s favor: The latest results came in with a margin of 56.04 percent “approve” to 43.96 percent “reject.”

0 Responses to The R-71 Results: It's Over, Gay Rights Won

  1. sgiffy says:
    November 5, 2009 at 5:07 PM

    The highlight of this election!

  2. J.R. says:
    November 5, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    It’s those wonderful King County votes!

  3. actually says:
    November 5, 2009 at 5:23 PM

    Washington state — first in the nation to support gay equality via popular vote.

    Maybe we can add a rainbow over Mt. Rainier and the salmon on the Washington State quarter coin design !

  4. Donolectic says:
    November 5, 2009 at 5:26 PM

    This is a great state and I’m proud to make it my home. As a gay man with a wonderful partner, this is fantastic news. This is a huge victory. Big thanks to Jamie and Ed too. Their strategy has been vindicated.

    I think this will also be election where it’s truly realized that the conservatives have lost Washington State. Not only did the residents of the state actually gave marriage-like rights to gays in a public, but Tim Eyman’s TABOR went down in flames and King County’s stealth republican (er, “non-partisan”) strategy was a giant fail. Plus Washington State has women in major positions of power – the governorship, our federal senators, and our state majority leaader for instance. As vocal as they might be, they don’t win here.

  5. Timothy says:
    November 5, 2009 at 6:07 PM

    I’m really emotional about this win.

    I have 2 gay brothers, a gay sister, and a gay cousin. My sister and cousin are registered as domestic partners with the State.

    But, the realization that Washington State becomes the first State in the Nation to approve full marriage benefits by popular vote is a watermark in the fight for equal rights.

    Let’s take a moment to celebrate that, and to welcome our brothers and sisters to full participation of Rights in Washington State.

    Next stop, changing the name of the contract to Marriage.

  6. petenice says:
    November 5, 2009 at 6:22 PM

    Huzzah! Good news for everyone, bad news for bigots.

  7. John Carroll says:
    November 5, 2009 at 6:54 PM

    Approval of 71 is wonderful, but let’s not forget that almost half of Washingtonians don’t think gay/lesbian couples are worthy of civil recognition. Change only the name used in the law to “marriage” and we would have lost bigger than we won.

    Even 1 in 3 seattle residents voted against 71. When I walk down the street, one of three neighbors I see believes I should remain a second class citizen. They don’t know me, but they already dislike me enough to believe I am a lower form of life, and my love has less value.

    Celebrate the victory – but we have a LONG way to go.

  8. Seattle Resident says:
    November 5, 2009 at 7:31 PM

    @7: I don’t think anyone is being complacent here or will be. Obama’s victory doesn’t mean that racism is over, but it’s a significant step in equality, just like this one.

  9. sarah68 says:
    November 5, 2009 at 7:52 PM

    Washington is two states. The western state voted for R71; the eastern didn’t.

    Obama’s victory means that people were sick of Bush and they really liked what Obama had to say. It doesn’t mean anything about racism; if a “standard” African-American (i.e. one with slave ancestors) had been running instead of one with a Kenyan father, I’ll bet the outcome could have been different.

    Neither of these prejudices are on their way out.

  10. ratcityreprobate says:
    November 5, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    Pierce County vote on both R-71 and the Eyeman initiative are disappointing.

  11. AJ says:
    November 5, 2009 at 10:34 PM

    @7: Remember where we were in 1997? Yeah, we’ve come a long way :)

  12. Another Seattle Resident says:
    November 6, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    I’m worried about how people are taking this… I personally wouldn’t be spouting for sure that R-71 will be passed, because I don’t want people to think that it’s over.
    I just hope pro-gay rights washingtonians don’t get complacent, because I really want this to get passed.
    Don’t let your guard down!

  13. Alfredo Edigardo says:
    January 12, 2010 at 11:29 AM

    Muy interesante.

    Alfredo Edigardo
    entrepescaychamame@live.com

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