Gay Marriage Lost, But It's Not Losing

Opponents of same-sex marriage waxed triumphant recently when voters in Maine rejected a measure allowing gays to wed. Maggie Gallagher, head of the National Organization for Marriage, crowed, "This victory in Maine interrupts the cultural narrative that was being manufactured, that somehow American opinion is shifting on the gay marriage issue." But she and her allies are the political equivalent of a Minnesota Vikings fan, gazing upon Brett Favre's middle-aged gridiron wizardry. They had better enjoy it now, because it's not going to last.

[nhjeff]

Why did it [Referendum 71] succeed while the initiative [Question 1] in Maine failed? Simple: Washington calls this new option "domestic partnership" rather than "marriage."

I'd like to propose a more likely reason: The support in the metropolitan area of Seattle overwhelmed the uniform rejection of Referendum 71 in the rest of Washington. Maine has no such metropolitan center.

In point of fact, both races were quite close. Follow this link and run your cursor over the counties to see by what depressingly large margins Referendum 71 lost in the rural areas of Washington. Then look at how many voters in the Seattle area overwhelmed that depressing opposition.

http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/WEI/ResultsByCou...

The fact of the matter is that No on 1 ran a stupendous campaign. The fact that Question 1 passed by a small majority is a tribute to the commitment and support of an amazing grass roots coalition.

Note: Portland, Maine is comparable in size to Spokane, Washington. Referendum 71 was rejected by over 60% in Spokane, and even worse margins in more rural areas.

[engaged voter]

nhjeff, I always appreciate your comments. They are spot-on.

But in a moment of levity, as a Minnesotan...
ummm...
well, I would hope that the NOM folks are not nearly effective as Favre. We expect him to perform admirably, if on nothing more than grit and determination, for a few more years.

Let's compare Maggie Gallagher to Terry Collins of the Titans instead. Or Culpepper. Couple winning years, and looked good based on the narrative surrounding them, but heading into the homestretch, benched.

[Lilllith]

Seeing as how population is concentrating more and more into the cities over time, it is only a matter of time before the educated population in the cities (not mired by religious extremism) will come around to pass same sex marriage. We already have the youth vote. Like my wise 85 year old Mum said, "you'll have to wait until my generation dies off." She is very enlightened, but most people her age are so badly indoctrinated to fear the boogeyman of change, that there is no way they will vote for anything to rock their boat. Most people in her generation are bigots.

[nhjeff]

Lilllith wrote:

Seeing as how population is concentrating more and more into the cities over time, it is only a matter of time before the educated population in the cities (not mired by religious extremism) will come around to pass same sex marriage. We already have the youth vote. Like my wise 85 year old Mum said, "you'll have to wait until my generation dies off." She is very enlightened, but most people her age are so badly indoctrinated to fear the boogeyman of change, that there is no way they will vote for anything to rock their boat. Most people in her generation are bigots.

When I was canvassing in Maine, I was delighted at the fairness and positiveness of many many older people. Of course, we were working with lists of voters who were already selected for their receptiveness to our message. But I ran across more outright hostility among youth than among the old.

[Rambo]

A growing majority of states are passing consitutional amendment to prevent the fraud of homosexual 'marriage' and yet it isn't losing!

No significant percent of the homosexual population has 'married' in ANY country that permits it, but it isn't 'losing!'

W@W!

These radical homosexual fanatics just don't get it!

[Jack]

Rambo wrote:

A growing majority of states are passing consitutional amendment to prevent the fraud of homosexual 'marriage' and yet it isn't losing!
No significant percent of the homosexual population has 'married' in ANY country that permits it, but it isn't 'losing!'
W@W!
These radical homosexual fanatics just don't get it!

Rambo? Rambo?! Lol!!! You can't be serious.

[Betty in Bellingham]

If you look closely at the results in Washington you will find that the county that passed Ref 71 with the largest percentage in favor was that bastion of liberal urban-ism San Jaun County! 71% in favor 29% opposed. they had the second highest voter turnout in the state 67.59% and less than 8000 total votes cast. With 9500 votes left to count R71 has over 110,000 vote lead State wide. Yes the west side carried the day but that's nothing new in Washington state politics. No one can call whatcom, Skagit,Island, or San Jaun counties "urban" but all favored R71, and all are north of the Everett-Seattle urban core. The great divide politically is the Cascades, most of the energy of the yes campaign was concentrated in the Seattle area because that's where the population and media market is. Washington has done what no state has ever accomplished passed a gay rights measure at the ballot box, and I could not be more proud.

[nhjeff]

Betty in Bellingham wrote:

Washington has done what no state has ever accomplished passed a gay rights measure at the ballot box, and I could not be more proud.

Yes, we are all grateful. And I hope we can all be proud of our contributions to your success. I know I am.

[MinneSNOWta]

Why the hell do I have to look at this in the Vikings football forum?

[Rick in Kansas]

MinneSNOWta wrote:

Why the hell do I have to look at this in the Vikings football forum?

Sorry about that, the site automatically links stories to other forums where it might also be of interest, based on a search of the article for keywords and phrases. Since this story uses the name of the Minnesota Vikings, it was automatically linked to that forum, even though it has nothing to do with football. Editors don't have the ability to stop articles from appearing on any other forum that the site wants it to, the site doesn't even tell us where a story is going to appear other than the forum we apply it to. If you're really offended, you can always send an e-mail to the site asking for that particular thread removed from that forum. You may have to request more than once, a while back, I had an article on the Gay/Lesbian forum which had a very unfortunate link a forum about a children's show that took several e-mails to kill.

[HappilyCelibatei nChrist]

lol....only 5 states have approved gay marriage. 31 states have rejected it, including one state where gays already had it. The fact that gays are so delusional as to call this "winning" proves what Rush says all the time.....liberals just don't get it.