Well, looks like gays are the only losers today.

[donco6]

Sigh. Pardon me if I don't share the same giddyness. It appears that the majority is more than willing to kick the minority in the head, while ensuring the security of their own choices.

Here's the Parade of Hypocrisy:

Arizona - Ban on Same Sex Marriage - Y 49, N 50
(But lost because elements also applied to straight unmarried couples)
Colorado - Ban on Gay Marriage - Y 56, N 44
Colorado - Domestic Partnerships - Y 47, N 53
Idaho - Ban on Gay Marriage - Y 63, N 37
South Carolina - Ban on Gay Marriage - Y 78, N 22
South Dakota - Ban on Gay Marriage - Y 52, N 48
(interestingly, South Dakotans preserved their own self-interest by not banning abortion 56/44)
Tennessee - Ban on Gay Marriage - Y 80, N 20
Virginia - Ban on Gay Marriage - Y 57, N 43
Wisconsin - Ban on Gay Marriage - Y 59, N 41

Corrected the California mention - sorry.

[rodeodance]

1. i am so sad to see WI on that list. I really never thought it would happen.

[donco6]

5. Even bigger loss than here in CO.

Which surprises me too.

[Sabriel]

Yes, people voted for Doyle (D) but also for the ban

What the hell happened to my state?

[kath]

39. Wisconsin?!?! OMG.

unbelievable. I guess WI is not the liberal place I thought it was...

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

66. Speaking of WI, didn't they vote about reinstating death penalty too? -nt

[dragonlady]

68. Yes, but it's only advisory

The referendum passed but is unlikely to make it through the state Senate since Dems are in control there now. At least that is some comfort.

[dragonlady]

70. There was a well-financed opposition campaign too

So much money and so many volunteers went into the effort, and it still wasn't even close.

[razors edge]

2. America's Kurds.

No matter what someone gets screwed over.

[BR_Parkway]

7. At least the Kurds have oil wells

[donco6]

78. Well, there are all those fundie surveys,

that show how gays make - like - 5X the national average salary.

Maybe we ARE the Kurds!

[VelmaD]

3. Texans didn't fare too well either

That blue wave seemed to pass my state completely. *sigh* The rethugs won every single state-wide race. I'm looking for a new state to defect too...anyone know if Massachusetts would offer me political asylum?

BTW, I'm really sorry about the gay marriage results yesterday. :hug:

[donco6]

Sorry about TX, VelmaD.

That's gotta be depressing - especially when everyone else is so happy!

I guess we just try, try again.

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. Looks like Florida is "staying the course" too.

We knew Nelson was a lock, but having another Republican governor is a bit of a blow.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

19. But Crist is gay!

[Tesha]

29. New Hampshire just turned deep blue and there's plenty of unexplored...

> Anyone know if Massachusetts would offer me political asylum?

New Hampshire just turned deep blue and there's plenty
of unexplored wilderness up here; real estate's a lot
cheaper in NH than in Mass.

Tesha

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dogday]

89. A Dead Republican even won her seat

I call her Dead Red... I don't know her name or position.... :shrug:

[benevolent dictator]

4. Yeah... happy as I am about the retaking of the House and

most likely the Senate, there is still this cloud with all of the shitty amendments that passed. Ugh. I don't really understand it. :(

[Maven]

6. Chin UP. New York was a WIN for us.

With Spitzer as Governor, it could become the first state that approves marriage from the legislature.

That's a big deal. Like "tipping point" big deal.

I'd rather celebrate the possibility of adding rights than lament a "ban" on rights that weren't acknowledged in the first place.

[Big Sky Boy]

45. If there can be a silver lining...

Take heart in the fact that this is the last gasp of anti-gay ballot initiatives. The last time right-wing conservatives will put bigotry on the ballot to try to get their hate-mongering minions to go to the polls. At least the last time it will be tried in so many states at the same time.

There just aren't that many states left and their base is getting tired of it.

Last year Oklahoma tried Round II by taking the next step and banning gay adoptions and the courts struck it down, so I don't expect a lot of sequels here.

I may be wrong. We may very well be heading for a 21st Century Krystallnacht, but they've bound us up about as tightly as they can. It is time to knuckle down and fight the good fight to loosen those bonds.

If New York legislates full equality, that really will be a tipping point. Full marriage equality has been legal in Massachusetts for over two years now and civilization as we know it hasn't come to an end. The population at large is getting more and more comfortable with the idea of gay marriage.

These amendments will be overturned. Not as quickly as we would like, but it will happen.

Sodomy was once illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We suffered a horrible defeat in Bowers vs Hardwick in 1986. The Supreme Court reversed that decision in 2003 -- in what I think has to be one of the shortest turnarounds in judicial history.

It hurts. It's gut-wretching. I live in Texas right now and last year 75% of the electorate voted to give themselves "special rights" that I and my partner are not entitled to. That stings. But we will beat this.

[Occulus]

77. Fine. YOU try getting those bans repealed.

How often does a state's Constitutional Amendment, just passed, get repealed other than as a violation of Federal law in some way?

[Maven]

93. Public opinion changes, and they get repealed the same way they were ratified

I just want to not complain for a day and instead focus on where we can do some good.

[Selatius]

9. California turned down Domestic Partnerships!!!??? n/t

[donco6]

11. Here's my link:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/ballot.measures/

[L A Woman]

22. it was NOT an issue in California...

as your own link clearly shows.

[Der Blaue Engel]

17. The hell we did

Wasn't even on the ballot. The OP must have mistaken Colorado for California??

[Maven]

18. Yes. OP mixed it up.

[donco6]

40. Sorry, I fixed it.

I must have got my fungers fimbled.

[Kerrytravelers]

20. That wasn't on my California ballot.

[The Deacon]

10. Remember -

These are bans on "gay marriage." For twelve years the looniest fringe of the Right Wing has been able to set the terms of the debate. Now that the adults are back in charge we can start on honest debate on "equal protection under the Law."

[donco6]

28. We need your help to get that question out there.

I'm not sure the Dems have the will to take any of this on any time soon. They will want to pass laws (for certain veto no doubt) that will give signals as to what they would do after 2008. I doubt that rights for gays is anywhere on the radar screen for the next two years.

Unless we get help from straight people.

[Big Sky Boy]

54. I agree entirely

This batch of Democrats is more conservative than we're used to.

Remember: 118 Democrats voted for DOMA in 1996 (when they were a little more to the left than they are now.)

Clinton got pounded for daring to suggest we should serve in the military (resulting in the Don't Ask Don't Tell disaster).

We're not going to get many Democrats (unless they're in VERY blue states) to say anything at all. They're just going to be to afraid the Repugs will pound back and hit them with the bigotry button again.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't apply pressure. This is our fight and no one is going to fight it for us.

[Big Sky Boy]

51. I'm not looking for the Democrats to save us on this one

At least not at the Federal level.

I expect they will keep the FMA off the Agenda and that's the best we can hope for now.

I put a lot more faith in a few blue state legislatures: especially NY & NJ. (Although I do hope NJ doesn't go the civil union route).

We need to fight the rest of this in the courts. I'm not happy about taking these arguments before this SCOTUS, but it's the only one we have and there is NEVER an optimal time to fight for your rights.

[noonwitch]

12. Michigan voted to ban affirmative action, so Michigan minorities and women lost

in that sense. But otherwise, dems did well in Michigan. Kept the governor's office and the Senate seat blue, regained the Michigan house, and banned dove hunting. So the doves also did well.

[Snotcicles]

26. This one bums me out, big time. n/t

[Horse with no Name]

13. It sounds so trite and condescending

to say "maybe next time".
It sucks. There just aren't any other words.
I've seen a couple threads that asked where were the Evangelicals.
They were obviously voting against gay marriage.
We just have to keep fighting until all of our citizens share the same wealth as we do. It's the only right thing to do.
BTW, I am in the same boat with Velma. In Texas, I'm not that happy about our state this morning either.:(

[everythingsxen]

14. It was a trade off

Dean/DLC sacrificed gay rights to get evangelical votes.

[crispini]

46. How can you say that?

That is the most outrageous accusation I have ever heard anyone make. I am very sad about these amendments, but it's not fair to accuse Dean or any other national organization. These types of amendements are state-based, and must be fought by a state-based campaign.

[L A Woman]

15. California? That wasn't on MY ballot.

We had no such decision to make here in California.

[donco6]

31. Fixed, sorry. eom

[slackmaster]

16. There was nothing on my California ballot about domestic partnerships

Link?

[Der Blaue Engel]

21. Please correct your post re California

There was no Domestic Partnerships prop on the ballot. You're looking at Colorado.

[still_one]

23. Note it went down in Arizona

[donco6]

35. But the pundits noted that . . .

the reason it went down was that portions of the ban would apply to straight unmarried couples. So they voted to protect their own interests. When that wasn't an issue, they were more than happy to stick it to the gays.

[Balbus]

44. Yeah, that's how the republicans were spinning it also so

that their obvious defeat looked like a victory.

[LostinVA]

47. That's also an issue on the VA amendment

But, most people who voted for it didn't educate themselves about that part -- and the people pushing it sure as hell didn't tell them. It doesn't even allow non-related people to buy property together. Or protect domestic abuse victims.

That's why it'll be overturned ASAP.

[Ms. Toad]

57. And in Ohio in 2004

...and it HASN'T been overturned.

You can actually buy property together (you just don't get some of the tax benefits), but the domestic abuse victim issue is very real - the first litigation in numerous counties in Ohio was abusers of opposite gender partners who said they could not be prosecuted under the domestic abuse statutes in which spouse had previously been interpreted broadly.

[hedgehog]

24. Can anyone tell me if the tide is at least starting to turn?

I was sickened to see so many of these admendments pass, but are the margins more narrow than in the past?

[ThomCat]

27. That would be nice, but I haven't seen it turning.

Even here at DU the general tide seems to be theoretically for equal rights for GLBT people, but against fighting for it. :(

[donco6]

38. Yes, but they're still amendments

Which means they have changed the foundation of the state constitution. Once it's changed, it's a) impossible to make a legislative or court fix; and b) it's much more difficult to overturn.

[Snotcicles]

25. Ban on gay marriage is only

a self restraint mechanism for the f-ing rednecks.

[Horse with no Name]

33. Agreed.

People that can only live what they consider a "moral" life if it is legislated for them.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

36. Well, it sucks, of course. Just means we have just taken

baby step toward sanity. This issue isn't dead, we won't let it be dead. We've got your back.

On the up side, we are in a much better place to continue the fight. There is so much to fix and correct, so let's get busy.

[YOY]

37. And how many times can the asswipes use it?

Once it's banned, it has to be brought back up as a wedge issue.

[radfringe]

41. just means we still have to keep fighting for equal rights

not gonna happen overnight...but times are a'changing

I look back to the country's attitude back in late 70's with Anita Bryant's crusade - we've come a long way since then, still a long way to go.

but we're here, we're queer - get use to it ;)

[LTR]

42. Wisconsin referendum was very confusing

Wisconsin's marriage referendum was so strangely worded, I'm sure many were confused by it. I even had to read it a few times!

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=528104

Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=524168

[Big Sky Boy]

60. That one actually might be overturned

Banning all relationships that are identical or similar to marriage is too broad -- and harmful.

We already saw a case in Ohio where a guy got off on a domestic violence case, because the new amendment said the state couldn't recognize a relationship that "approximates" marriage and the two were not married.

Can't be charged with spouse abuse, if she's not your spouse.

This also has implications for business partnerships and other economic relationships.

[donco6]

63. Interesting.

Our amendment is not as bad as WI or OH:

AN AMENDMENT TO THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION,CONCERNING MARRIAGE,AND,IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,SPECIFYING THAT ONLY A UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN SHALL BE VALID OR RECOGNIZED AS A MARRIAGE IN COLORADO

[MissB]

43. It sucks that you're right.

Stem cells? Good. Abortion rights? Good.

Sigh. It sucks that it takes time to turn the tide. I do think eventually people will change their minds and lose their fears. Or they'll just die bitter old bastards and the next generation will be far more tolerant.

[cui bono]

48. *sigh* When are these people going to grow up and undersatnd what this country

is supposed to be all about?

Why do they care????

[riderinthestorm]

49. I hate the way this turned out for you.

This totally sucks. It's time the US got it's collective Puritan head out it's ass and recognized this is a civil rights issue.

It WILL happen since it's just self-evident. But any delay in granting these rights is so unfair.

For now though all I can offer is :hug: .

[donco6]

58. Thanks!

And don't get me wrong, I'm happy as a clam about so many other decisions here in CO -really. Dem Gov, Dem Congress majority (!), voted down lots of nasty initiatives regarding school funding, passed min wage increase, etc.

But then someone leaves the cake out in the rain . . .

[CabalPowered]

50. And the State of Idaho

Dems didn't get one victory out of all this. I fvcking hate this State. :mad:

[MissB]

56. Move to Oregon.

This morning, we have a (now second term) Democratic governor who won by a wide margin against a moderate Republican. We also have a Democratic House and Senate. And we turned away all sorts of nasty measures last night.

[CabalPowered]

73. I intend to move back to Oregon prior to the 08'

I lived there for 10 years and miss it dearly. If Idaho wants a red state, they can have it.

[JackBeck]

52. It will only be a few years until these are all found Unconstitutional.

[donco6]

55. Not unless it's a federal SC decision.

After all, these are all state constitutional amendments.

And I don't see a SC decision being all that favorable to us right now.

[JackBeck]

62. My point exactly.

Let's work on the SC.

[Catfight]

53. Yeah....like interracial marriage....what's the difference? a few years?

[GreenPartyVoter]

59. And I think that nothing will be done in the favor of the dems until after 2008

:^(

[Erechtheides]

61. a small ray

New York's new governor said last month that he will push for gay marriage here.
We'll see if he meant it, but it's a bit of hope.

[GainesT1958]

64. We have a gay friend in Arizona...

She and her partner just moved there last year...boy, was their timing good!

Sad about the other states, though...the biggest cloud in an otherwise mostly sunny sky.

B-)

[deadparrot]

65. Apologies to GLBT DUers.

Thoughts are with you today. I think time will prove these measures to be unconstitutional, but it's hard to feel positive at times like this.

[babylonsister]

67. This should make you feel better:

Openly gay candidates win elections in record numbers Updated at 9:10 AM

Great news from Rawstory:

Openly gay candidates have won elections in record numbers, and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund celebrated its "unprecedented success" in a press release obtained by RAW STORY.

"Sixty-seven Victory-endorsed candidates were elected to federal, state and local offices, with some winning historic races that make them the first openly gay or lesbian candidates ever elected in their states or legislative bodies," the political action committee declared.

10 Key Victories in 2006:

-- Patricia Todd, who will represent District 54 in the Alabama State House. Todd is the first openly gay person ever elected to any office in the state.

-- Kathy Webb, who will represent District 37 in the Arkansas State House. Webb is the first openly gay person ever elected to any office in the state.

-- Henry Fernandez, who won a seat on the Lawrence Township School Board, making him the first openly gay person ever elected to any office in Indiana.

-- Al McAffrey, who will represent District 88 in the Oklahoma State House. McAffrey is the first openly gay person ever elected to the Oklahoma state legislature.

-- Jolie Justus, who will represent District 10 in the Missouri State Senate. Justus is the first openly gay state senator in Missouri history.

-- Ed Murray, who will represent District 43 in the Washington State Senate. Murray, a former state representative, is the first openly gay state senator in Washington history.

-- Matt McCoy, who becomes the first openly gay candidate ever elected to the Iowa legislature. McCoy, a sitting state senator, came out during his last term.

-- Ken Keechl, who won a seat on the Broward County Commission in Florida, beating an appointee of Gov. Jeb Bush.

-- Jamie Pedersen, who becomes the third consecutive openly gay person to be elected to represent District 43 in the Washington State House.

-- Judge Virginia Linder will join Rives Kistler on the Oregon Supreme Court, making it the first state ever to have two openly gay Supreme Court Justices, according to preliminary results.

[helderheid]

69. Here's the good news:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2635345

[slj0101]

71. We are not done fighting, donco.

This was a huge leap, but it's not over; not by a long shot. We will get those amendments repealed in due time. :)

[gollygee]

72. The news certainly isn't all good

between that and the anti-affirmative-action ballot proposal in Michigan.

:(

[Marrah_G]

74. Yes it sucks

But now we have a real chance to start changing the tone of the country and with that hopefully see more and more states coming over to the side of fairness and equality. Yes this was a bad day for marriage equality but it was a good day because the playing field shifted. It would be far worse if this happened AND we still lost the house and senate.

I am confident that in time the rest of the country will follow Massachusetts lead and provide equal rights to all people.

I am confident because I talk to my teenagers and they tell me that sexual prefence is not something that is a big deal to thier friends (all around the country/world) or themselves and they do not understand why everyone gets so freaked out over how others lead thier private lives. This tells me that in time, as the older generation is replaced by these teens in the voter pool that we will see equality for all.

I wish it was now and since its not it means people have to continue to fight the good fight. It will come.

[Morgana LaFey]

75. Have you seen this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2635345

[donco6]

76. Yeah, I saw it.

So I guess I should be glad that people will actually vote for someone even if he/she is gay. So they're happy to vote for someone who will then represent them the way they want, but they won't vote for something that gives that man the same rights they have.

Don't you find that a bit odd? I mean, in a state that basically rode the Repugs out on a rail, a state in which gay issues are clearly in the Dem camp, and yet they broke ranks purposely to slam the lid on equal rights for gays.

That's disturbing to me.

[AtomicKitten]

79. Reiterating, a record number of gay candidates win

Already posted but reiterating.

Openly gay candidates win elections in record numbers
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Openly_gay_candidates_win_in_record_1108.html

RAW STORY
Published: Wednesday November 8, 2006

10 Key Victories in 2006:

-- Patricia Todd, who will represent District 54 in the Alabama State House. Todd is the first openly gay person ever elected to any office in the state.

-- Kathy Webb, who will represent District 37 in the Arkansas State House. Webb is the first openly gay person ever elected to any office in the state.

-- Henry Fernandez, who won a seat on the Lawrence Township School Board, making him the first openly gay person ever elected to any office in Indiana.

-- Al McAffrey, who will represent District 88 in the Oklahoma State House. McAffrey is the first openly gay person ever elected to the Oklahoma state legislature.

-- Jolie Justus, who will represent District 10 in the Missouri State Senate. Justus is the first openly gay state senator in Missouri history.

-- Ed Murray, who will represent District 43 in the Washington State Senate. Murray, a former state representative, is the first openly gay state senator in Washington history.

-- Matt McCoy, who becomes the first openly gay candidate ever elected to the Iowa legislature. McCoy, a sitting state senator, came out during his last term.

-- Ken Keechl, who won a seat on the Broward County Commission in Florida, beating an appointee of Gov. Jeb Bush.

-- Jamie Pedersen, who becomes the third consecutive openly gay person to be elected to represent District 43 in the Washington State House.

-- Judge Virginia Linder will join Rives Kistler on the Oregon Supreme Court, making it the first state ever to have two openly gay Supreme Court Justices, according to preliminary results.

[donco6]

83. And I'll repost this:

So I guess I should be glad that people will actually vote for someone even if he/she is gay. So they're happy to vote for someone who will then represent them the way they want, but they won't vote for something that gives that man the same rights they have.

Don't you find that a bit odd? I mean, in a state that basically rode the Repugs out on a rail, a state in which gay issues are clearly in the Dem camp, and yet they broke ranks purposely to slam the lid on equal rights for gays.

That's disturbing to me.

[AtomicKitten]

84. many are in need of enlightenment

something I hope comes sooner than later

[donco6]

86. Me too. Peace. eom

[mmonk]

80. Nobody wins when any of us lose.

There's a lot of hatred out there that these people created with their vile politics. America has a long way to go in many respects.

[terrya]

81. Yeah...but I see one silver lining...

Eliot Spitzer was elected Governor of New York State. Eliot Spitzer supports same-sex marriage. Eliot Spitzer said that he fully supports and will sign, legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in New York State.

I find it encouraging that a politician can support same-sex marriage and can get elected. Perhaps other politicians (um...John Kerry, for instance) can support same-sex marriage.

[lies and propaganda]

82. Sorry... I love our Arizona victory

I wrote taht shit off thinking we'd lose it by at least 75% and we fucking won!!!! woot!

[baby_mouse]

85. I'm not particularly surprised.

It isn't going to change overnight.

[donco6]

87. Well, let's see. How long have gay people existed anyway?

Let's see - same length of time as races.
Same length of time as sexes.
LONGER than religion.

So even though all THOSE groups' rights are already protected, I guess I should just be happy with where we are.

'Cuz it's not gonna change overnight.

:sarcasm:

[baby_mouse]

88. In case you hadn't noticed

Your country (if you are posting from the States, *I'm* not) contains a very large streak of DEEPLY homophobic people, the like of which constitute a particularly peculiar anomoly for a technologically civilised democracy. Even the moderates of the States are substantially homophobic (although not consciously) and still feel that homophobia is, politically, an *acceptable* stance. This is no longer true in Europe. The minority comparisons you outline are largely understood in other democracies, this vital piece of political work is still under discussion in the States. But even in Europe, it did *not* take place overnight.

As an out gay man, I've had countless conversations with work colleagues, relatives and friends regarding the issues surrouding homosexuality, patiently and painstakingly undoing the assumptions and conflations put in place by religion hundreds of years ago whilst avoiding reactionary offense-taking to questions that are often no more than careless or ill-informed thinking at all costs. The waning power of religion in the UK has partially facilitated this. Even with all this careful work, which I feel all responsible out gay people should undertake, there was still a fake referendum held in Scotland, financed by a revolting homophobic bus company owner, to try and sway the Scottish Parliament's decision to remove Clause 28, a piece of legislation which forbade the positive portrayal of homosexuality in schools. His referendum results came back at 80% preferring the retention of the Clause. Luckily, the Scottish Parliament at that time were entirely focussed on their agenda and refused to pay attention to the privately financed referendum. Since their repeal of Clause 28, we've heard no more from anyone on the subject of homosexuality apart from a few silly squealers in the Hebrides who don't like the idea of civil partnership. Greetings cards are now on sale in London celebrating civil partnerships, and wedding photographers are considering specialising in same-sex ceremonies.

All this took time. Tatchell, our main loudmouth faggot politico, mostly just irritates people. Will Young doesn't, and, realistically, though we may not wish it, it is *his* image and the similar images of reasonable gay men that *persuade*. And it is *persuasion* that will bring change, not peevishness or bad temper, however peevish or bad-tempered we may be feeling.

Now I'll thank you to outline those parts of my post which lead you to believe that I am happy with the rights of American homosexuals as they are.

[donco6]

91. OK

Since your original post consisted of only one sentence, that's a rather limiting demand, however I will quote it in its entirety:

"It isn't going to change overnight."

Now, without all the background you provided in your follow up post, how would one glean your intent? I took it to mean what it usually means around here, (i.e.) "What do you expect? Of course you didn't win any referenda - most people HATE gays! You think that's going to change overnight? Dumbass."

Now that I understand your position, I humbly apologize for my having jumped to conclusions.

[Left Is Write]

90. I'm sorry.

I voted a big fat "NO" on that damned amendment here in Idaho, for all the good it did. I'm really sorry.

Kids lost out here too - Prop 1, to increase funding to schools - much needed funding, I might add - was defeated.

Great sense of "family values" we have here, huh?

[donco6]

92. Thankfully, we voted down a lot of other nasty initiatives . . .

. . . all sponsored by out-of-state RW whacks. So I feel good about that. It just gets tempered when you realize people who voted with Dems on so many issues, purposely voted with the fundies on the gay issues. Go figger.