Early numbers suggest Washington State voters approve expanded gay rights (Ref. 71)

[Ian David]

Early numbers suggest Washington voters approve expanded gay rights

Early figures from Washington state suggest that voters have opted to approve a new 'everything but marriage' measure for gay couples.

As yet, fewer than half of the votes have been counted and current support levels are at 52 per cent.

All but one of Washington's counties vote by post, meaning that a final result may not be available until the end of the week.

Referendum 71 would expand the state's current domestic partnership law, essentially giving gay couples all the rights of marriage.

More:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/04/early-numbers-suggest-washington-voters-approve-expanded-gay-rights/

[Orrex]

1. Encouraging, but...

It would be great if society would approve the removal of restrictions of gay rights, rather than "expanding" those rights.

[Ian David]

2. True. n/t

[Ms. Toad]

3. Not your statement - but the 5th line quoted is wrong.

No state domestic partnership law can give gay couples "essentially . . . all the rights of marriage." The right of marriage include federal recognition and the thousands of rights associated with that recognition (check - er nope), state reciprocity (check - er nope), and inter-country recognition ) (check - er nope).

If the numbers hold up, the referendum is great progress and should be celebrated - but it falls far short of giving gay couples "essentially . . . all the rights of marriage" and we need to keep reminding anyone who asserts that that it is just not true.