CE Week #10: “Partner rights to expand” Nov. 6th
Associated Press
OLYMPIA – Washington voters have approved the state’s new “everything but marriage” law, expanding rights for domestic partners and marking the first time any state’s voters have approved a gay equality measure at the ballot box.
With about 72 percent of the expected vote counted Thursday in unofficial returns, Referendum 71 was leading 52 percent to 48 percent, with a margin of about 60,000 votes.
Sen. Ed Murray, a Seattle Democrat who spearheaded the law, called it “a great step forward for equality in Washington state.”
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.
Gary Randall of Protect Marriage Washington, which opposed the law and pushed to get the referendum on the ballot, said they weren’t ready to concede.
“We’re just going to wait and watch it play out,” he said.
Two national gay rights groups – the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Family Equality Council – say that voter approval of such a measure was a first. Gay equality laws in other states, ranging from civil rights to gay marriage, have either been implemented by the courts or legislative process. Voters have rejected gay marriage 31 states, most recently in Maine, where voters repealed a gay marriage law on Tuesday.
“Our state made history today,” said Anne Levinson, chairwoman of Washington Families Standing Together, which fought to keep the law on the books. “This is a day for which we can all look back with pride.”
The expanded law in Washington state adds benefits, such as the right to use sick leave to care for a domestic partner, and rights related to adoption, child custody and child support.
During the campaign, opponents argued the law is a stepping-stone to gay marriage. Gay rights activists countered that while the marriage debate was for another day, same-sex couples need additional legal protections and rights in the meantime.
The law will take effect Dec. 3, according to the secretary of state’s office.
The underlying domestic partnership law, which the Legislature passed in 2007, provided hospital visitation rights, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, and inheritance rights when there is no will.
Last year, lawmakers expanded the law to give domestic partners standing under laws covering probate and trusts, community property and guardianship.
What I Knew:
Many people have avidly advocated Referendum 71 because it gives gay partners all the rights of marriage without calling it marriage. This has helped gather support from the religious sect in some ways. I also know people have opposed this measure because of opposition to homosexual relationships.
Opinion:
While I feel gays should be able to marry and call it marriage, I wholeheartedly embrace this bill. It gives gay couples the security they deserve and disallows discrimination from the government. Furthermore, I can’t think of anyone who has the right to tell someone else how to love because love is such an abstract concept. Like my favorite pop singer Lady GaGa said in reference to gay marriage: “It’s not equality if it’s only sometimes.” I feel this accurately reflects the struggle for marriage equality. Why must the state discriminate among its citizens by granting only certain rights to certain groups of citizens?
Question:
What other states are trying to expand more rights to homosexual partners?
Connection:
This bill was passed via a referendum. Referendums are part of the progressive era’s reforms and allow the citizens of a state to approve or reject a piece of legislation that has already been passed in the state legislature. Another reform in this era includes recall, which allows an officeholder to be recalled by voters.
What I learned:
I learned that Referendum 71 was passed! Referendum 71 was leading 52 percent to 48 percent. The expanded law in Washington adds benefits, such as the right to use sick leave to care for a domestic partner, and rights related to adoption, child custody and child support. I also learned that the law will go in to action of December 3rd.
What I thought:
Personally, I think that it is great that Referendum 71 was passed. I think that by this referendum passing, it is a huge step toward homosexuals receiving the right to get married. Homosexuals should be able to visit their partners in the hospital and receive rights related to adoption. I think that homosexuals should be able to get married, and I hope that it will one day be granted to homosexuals. I was actually kind of surprised that Referendum 71 was passed. It seems that a lot of people are against homosexuals and that they don’t want them to receive the same rights as everyone else in the world. I think that homosexuals should be treated just like every other human being and they should not be discriminated against! I hope that other states give homosexuals the same rights that Washington has just granted them.
What I want to know:
In how many states can homosexuals get married in? What countries allow homosexuals to get married?
Extension: In the United States, this is where gay marriage is legal:
• Massachusetts(as of July 2008)
• Connecticut (as of October 10, 2008)
• Iowa (as of April 3, 2009)
• District of Columbia (no gay marriages performed but will recognize the rights of same-sex couples who wed in other jurisdictions)
• Vermont (as of September 1, 2009)
• Maine (as of mid September, 2009)
• New Hampshire (to be signed pending language that respects religious beliefs of opposite-sex couples)
• New York (no gay marriages performed but will recognize the rights of same-sex couples who wed in other jurisdictions)
• New Jersey (as of February 2007)
• Oregon (as of February 4, 2008)
• Washington (as of April 15, 2009)
These countries allow gay marriages:
• Mexico (since 2006)
• Croatia (since 2003)
• Denmark (since 1989)
• Finland (since 2001)
• France (since 1999)
• Germany (since 2001/expanded rights 2004)
• Hungary (since 1996/expanded rights as of July 1, 2009)
• Iceland (since 1996)
• Sweden (as of May 1, 2009)
• Norway (since 2008)
• Netherlands/Holland (no amendments needed; language of existing laws inclusive)
• Belgium (since 2003)
• Spain (since 2005)
• South Africa (since 2006)
• Luxembourg (since 2004 with limitations)
• New Zealand (since 2004)
• Portugal (since 2001)
• Sweden (since 1995/expanded rights as of April 1, 2009)
• Switzerland (since 2005)
• United Kingdom (since 2005)
• Canada (since 2004/2005)
• United States (some states)
http://www.nowpublic.com/health/where-gay-marriage-legal-list-states-and-countries
What I know:
I know an adequate amount of information about Referendum 71. Nicole and I did the Mock Election summary for it, and I’ve asked my parents about it and whatnot. This law would give domestic partners a lot more rights and privileges similar to married couples. Some say this would be a step towards Washington approving gay marriage… hmm.
What I think:
I’m glad this law is approved. I’m not a huge, big gay rights activist, but I think it shows that Washington has good, well-balanced people. I mean, loved ones should be able to visit each other on their death beds and whatnot, gay or not. I hadn’t heard anything about election results, so this was my first time hearing the law was improved. I’m not sure if I’m quite to the point where I approve gay marriage. In fact, sorry, but I’m not. So by passing domestic partners with these further rights, I say Washington is in the perfect spot right now.
Question:
I think it’s a common idea that liberalism is in the west side of Washington state, and more conservatism is in the east side of the state, including the Spokane area. I’ve seen many signs around town saying to reject Referendum 71. So, my question is what was the overall vote for the Spokane area for this law? Did we approve it or reject it as a city?
Connection:
http://www.kxly.com/news/21516117/detail.html
This is a the local news network KXLY’s recent article of some of Spokane’s ideas that Referendum 71 would pass. It was posted right around election day. What I found the most interesting about it was not the article itself, but at the bottom of the page there were people’s comments about the article and about Referendum 71. Check it out.
I know:
I think that homosexuality is an abomination against human nature and that anyone who has considered amorous advances towards the opposite sex is a hillbilly pervert. Consider the logistics: men and women were physically made for one another. It just fits right. Two men together is like trying to plug in an electric outlet with both sides having only prongs, if I’m not being too subtle. The foundation of marriage lies in the harmony of a male and female committing to one another to begin their family. How can two women begin a family? I’m no science expert, but I believe some male participation is necessary somewhere along the way.
I learned:
I didn’t know that Washington State was such a horrendously liberal place to live. How can such a bill have been passed? To equate a homosexual partnership to marriage is comparable to allowing bestiality. We can’t simply allow people to walk around committing themselves to anything. What’s next? Inanimate objects? The fact that Washington state made history for this calamity is what astounds me beyond all else. Not only have we passed this immoral document, but I have just learned we’ll be down in the books as the first. A permanent stain on our state’s slate.
I yearn to learn:
What is the expected time lapse before gay marriage is constitutional? I need to know so I can plan when to leave the country.
I extend:
I wanted to know where I can live without the fear of being hit on by a member of the same gender. In other words, a conservative state. Thank goodness, http://govpro.com/content/gov_imp_31439/ let me know where I can live in peace. Apparently, Texas currently holds three of the five most conservative cities in America. Texas is a bit too western for me, however, so I will be making my way to the most conservative state in the country: Provo, Utah. It even has a good name.
A)Well first, I learned that Referendum 71 was approved in this last election. I also learned that voters have rejected gay marriage in 31 states, Maine being the most recent. Last I learned that these new laws, from the referendum will take effect on December 3.
B)I think that it is rather surprising that this passed. It isn’t that I am completely against it because honestly I can’t decide if I should support it or not, I just didn’t think it would pass because it seems like so many states have tried and failed to get something similar to this. I think that it is good that Washington State will now add benefits, such as the right to use sick leave to care for a domestic partner, and rights related to adoption, child custody and child support. That is good because gays and lesbians have fought for those kinds of rights for a long time. However I would say that one bad outcome of this is that it could be a stepping stone towards the legalization of gay marriage. I feel like marriage is something between and man and women. The fact that that could be legalized in the future is very controversial.
C)I would like to know if there are any states that are looking at passing something similar to this. Are we the only state that has chosen to go down this path?
D)Connection: Not only did the Referendum get approved in the election, it also got approved with a 46 to 33 percent in our school mock election. It is said that children are more liberal than adults; however adults were proven to be more liberal, just like kids in this election.
A. I knew previously that I completely support domestic partnerships, and I believe that this just might be a step towards gay marriage. YAY!
B. I learned that Washington’s Referendum 71 proved “the first time any state’s voters have approved a gay equality measure at the ballot box.” I also learned that voters have repealed gay marriage in 31 states. I don’t understand why people can recognize these couples as “domestic partners,” but cannot except them as a married couple. What is the difference? What reservations do people truly have, outside of the fact that the Bible states a man and a woman are supposed to make up a “married couple”? I am passionate about the subject, and I just fail to understand why some people may not realize that this is truly the civil rights movement of our generation!
C. My question for anyone: What is the difference between a homophobe and a racist or a sexist? I still fail to see any difference at all, but maybe I am missing the elephant in the parlor.
Extension- When was homosexuality originally seen as “immoral”?
“1871: Germany criminalized homosexuality with Paragraph 175 of the Reich Criminal Code. In 1929 a committee in the Reichstag had voted to repeal Paragraph 175, but the Nazi rise to power prevented any action from being taken and the law would remain on the books until 1968 in East Germany and 1969 in West Germany.” (http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/phil/blphil_eth_gaym_chron.htm)
Bear in mind that the Nazi party may not be the most trustworthy organization to deem something as criminal…
What I learned: Basically, I learned everything that married gay couples can do under the referendum 71, and that it does not mean that gay couples can be wed in Washington. It was interesting to hear that 31 states have rejected this type of gay couple privileges. Overall, it was all new to me except the very basic concept of it being about gay rights.
What I think: I honestly did not keep track of referendum 71 at all, and did not care to hear about it until it was done with. As for gay marriage, I’m on the borderline. I don’t promote gay couples, but I also don’t mind gay couples. It seems rather weird and awkward to me; however it is their choice on how they want to live. I am not here to hold them back or push them forward. [How would you describe that Mr. Kautzman (or anyone else)? Is there a particular term or something for that?] What I do have an opinion on is that any significant other, of different sex or the same sex, should absolutely have visitation rights while their other half is in the hospital, unless, of course, the patient disagrees with them being there.
Questions: How many states are currently hung up on any sort of gay rights bill as of now? When did this referendum begin?
Connection/Extension: Same-sex marriage is illegal in Nevada, therefore it is illegal in Las Vegas. That’s pretty crazy seeing as anyone can get married to any thing there if they please, yet they can’t marry someone of the same gender.
In response to Jeremy Urann!
Why are you so against gay marriage and gay rights? I mean it is kind of weird seeing gay couples together but at least they’re happy. I think that it is violating their rights if they can’t be together. The government and society is telling them how to love one another. I agree with Derrick that there are multiple ways to love someone. It does not have to be just between a man and a woman. I’m glad that Referendum 71 passed and I think the passing of gay marriages will be a breakthrough for our country.
In response to Katie Bates:
You’re right; the west side of the state is far more liberal than the east side. For example, it was King County that carried the approval a long way, with 377,502 votes of approval (67.96%) and 177,985 votes of rejection (32.04%). Spokane County was quite the opposite, with 52,465 votes of approval (39.86%) and 79,168 votes of rejection (60.14%). With these numbers, it is obvious that it was rejected as a city. Ultimately, only 10 of Washington’s 39 counties approved Referendum 71, all of them being in the west.
Overall, it was approved with 938,970 votes (53.14%) and rejected with 828,101 votes (46.86%).
There’s a good map showing all the results for each county at this site: http://www.vote.wa.gov
Response to Larae Stotts question…
“What is the difference between a homophobe and a racist or a sexist?”
Here are the dictionary definitions of each. A homophobe is a person who fears or hates homosexuals and homosexuality. Racism is the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others, a racist is someone who commits racism. Sexism is discrimination or devaluation based on a person’s sex, a sexist is anyone who believes in sexism.
As far as the difference between them they seem to have very different definitions I think you’re probably confused because so many people just throw out these types of words. From what I know all three define as people who don’t care for certain groups of people. Homophobes are against gays or lesbians. Racists target those of different race (black vs. white). And Sexists put down opposite sex’s (man vs. women). I hope this clears what they all mean at least a little. So the difference between the words is what groups they discriminate against.
In response to Kristina Nielsen in response to Jeremy Urann:
I am 99.99999% sure he was being sarcastic to show that most of the arguments against gay marriage and homosexuality are bunk.
Favorite part: “What is the expected time lapse before gay marriage is constitutional? I need to know so I can plan when to leave the country.”
In response to Nicole Follett and others later on in the post
First of all, Denmark has Legal civil partnerships, and they have been allowed since 1989. This is not a representation of Gay Marriage, so I’ll let you try again.
But, we must also be informed Nicole that if we follow your reasoning to its logical conclusion, polygamy, pedophilia, and zoophilia are basic human rights as well.
Also, considering this voting period had one of the lowest voter turnouts possible, it doesn’t surprise me this passed. It’s rather unfortunate. Look at the margin of the votes, it rather reflects not the majority but rather the plurality.(yes vocab words)
This rather a response to Anyone that was questioning whether the government should federally mandate that gay marriage be legalized.
One may wonder, is it important that laws be passed in accordance with the will of the people? You may do well to remember the reason our nation even exists. Taxation without representation was against the will of the people and subsequently led to a fight for independence. I am not suggesting that gay marriage laws would cause such a revolution, but it would violate the ideals of this nation and inevitably cause civil unrest. Laws are not passed needlessly and in accordance to the moral whims of teenage girls or boys. Only 35% of the population agrees with gay marriage. Since the consensus is an overwhelming NO to gay marriage, we should not permit it. Since permitting gay marriage would require circumventing our current legal system.
Shout out to Kristina Nielson:
I agree with absolutely nothing I wrote in my blog. I had become so tired of writing about my one position on domestic partnerships that I decided to switch it up. It was actually fun. Using all of the stereotypical evidence against homosexuality, I simply documented what I’ve heard millions of times. Also, Mr. Kautzman asked us to play devil’s advocate and I was more than happy to oblige. Sometimes it’s fun stepping into someone else’s shoes. Anyways, I hope no one was offended in my short lapse of enjoyment.
In response to Katie Bates:
“The Referendum 71 results were decidedly one-sided in King County, with 65.91% supporting the Referendum so far, and 34.09% voting to reject it. Over in Spokane County the numbers were almost the exact opposite, with 39.74% voting to approve Referendum 71 and 60.26% voting to reject the Referendum.” (www.examiner.com)
The latest tallies and percentages as of November 13th, 2009, according to wikipedia.com are as follows:
Referendum Measure 71
Yes or no Votes Percentage
Yes 938,970 53.14%
No 828,101 46.86%
Total votes 1,767,071 100.00%
Voter turnout 50.47%
The Washington Secretary of State says that there are about 9,500 ballots still to be counted in the coming days.
In response to Katie Bates-
In Spokane County there are 257,092 registered voters total. Of the 257,092, 38,079 (39.98%) voted to approve and 57,169 (60.02%) voted to reject. Overall, Spokane rejected it.
Larae: A homophobe discriminates against homosexuals, a sexist judges others based on gender, and racists hate other races. All three are people who make quick judgements about people based on who a person is. Jeremy: There is no definitive timelin, however gay rights activists seem to be working state to state to gain marriage rights just like womens suffrage. Recently gay marriage was overturned in Maine so it may take longer than anticipated. Ref 71 is the first time voters have actually approved a pro gay rights bill.