Positive news. WA Ref 71 is still passing. Means we didn't vote away human rights

[uppityperson]

52.64% voted to keep
ttp://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/Results.aspx?RaceTypeCode=M&JurisdictionTypeID=-2&ElectionID=32&ViewMode=Results

http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/Pages/OnlineVotersGuide.aspx?ElectionID=32&RaceID=102369&BallotID=0

(from voters guide): The legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5688 concerning rights and responsibilities of state-registered domestic partners and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.

This bill would expand the rights, responsibilities, and obligations accorded state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses, except that a domestic partnership is not a marriage.....

[uppityperson]

1. Editorial about it...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2010219375_ryan08.html

The gay and lesbian community broke through another barrier to equality last week with the approval of Referendum 71. The struggle for equal rights has been a long, frustrating battle for lesbians and gays. This victory is a major step toward equality but there is still work to be done.

Before that work begins, the gay and lesbian community should take a moment and enjoy what happened last week. It is no small thing that Washingtonians believe that gays and lesbians are owed basic rights granted to heterosexual couples. It was only 11 years ago that the Legislature instituted the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits marriage to heterosexuals. Only three years ago, the Washington state Supreme Court upheld the discriminatory law.

This campaign was not about marriage equality. This campaign was about ensuring all families are treated equally. R-71 upheld Senate Bill 5688, which was passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor. The "everything but marriage" bill expands domestic-partnership rights to lesbians, gays and elderly couples.

Even though R-71 wasn't about gays and lesbians marrying, it is a building block upon which marriage equality will happen.
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We're not where we should be but we can at least now see where we need to be. Enjoy the moment but know that the last push for equality might be the toughest....

[paulsby]

2. we respect rights here in WA

right to carry
right to marry (well, it;'s not quite marriage, but it's still damn good. we're workin' on it)
right to privacy (in our constitution. thus, more privacy rights than under the federal one, which just has a right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures)

[uppityperson]

3. after reading the negative posts and snarking, I decided to take a break, then post someting positiv

something positive I mean. I am glad this passed, can't believe it is even an issue.

[anonymous171]

4. Fellow Washingtonian here to say FUCK YEAH!

:fistbump:

[uppityperson]

5. 52.56% 11/7 4:34pm Link in OP needs "h" before it, sorry.