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Referendum 71 APPROVED in Washington State!

November 6, 2009 9:48AM
Michael Cole

Although signs looked good on Election Night, it’s now official… news organizations have called the race over Referendum 71 (the proposed expansion of domestic partner protections) for the Approve side!

Domestic partners in Washington State now have the state-level rights and responsibilities afforded to married couples, and all families are that much safer. Congratulations to the Approve Ref. 71 campaign who organized, educated and stood up to the lies told by those who oppose our equality.

Also, continuing her great coverage at Pam’s House Blend, Lurleen shares some history and an analysis of the numbers.

Virginia Election Wrap-Up

November 4, 2009 5:04PM
Terry McGuire

While there were certainly some great victories yesterday (Kalamazoo, Bill Owens in NY, and hopefully Washington State), it was also a very rough year. While Maine is on all our minds, here in Virginia we’re reeling from the statewide election of some very, very anti-equality candidates. While our heads are hanging low today, it’s important that we put everything in perspective.

Robin Abbott

Across the Commonwealth, HRC was engaged in nine House of Delegates races and the Governor’s race. Our staff, volunteers and members were out, proud and visible on campaigns – truly fighting and making a difference. The relationships we built, the ones we continue to strengthen, and the friendships we made are invaluable as we move forward and continue working towards a better, more inclusive and equitable Virginia. We stood by our friends and allies two years ago and were victorious in electing a fair-minded majority to the Virginia state Senate. This year, while we suffered some devastating losses, we were still there standing by those that value equality and justice.

While we lost a number of races, we were instrumental in helping elect two fair-minded legislators who will be advocates for our community in Richmond. In Newport News, Robin Abbott unseated anti-equality incumbent Phil Hamilton to represent the 93rd District. Robin was the only fair-minded challenger in Virginia to win this year. HRC had an organizer on the race and supplemented his efforts with campaign support several weeks back.

Luke Torian

In Northern Virginia, HRC was on hand to help elect Luke Torian in the 52nd. In addition to providing a full time organizer, HRC staffers went to help with get-out-the-vote activities. Luke, like Robin, will be a welcomed and needed voice in the state capitol.

As many know, there are elections in Virginia every year. I look forward to the next election, and the opportunity to continue working for equality in the Old Dominion.

Join in Marriage Rallies TONIGHT

November 4, 2009 4:24PM
Michael Cole

A number of cities are holding rallies TONIGHT (Wednesday) to protest last night’s loss in Maine and recommit themselves to the fight for marriage equality nationwide. Details on some of the events are below (and I’ll update as I get more information):

Washington, DC
5:30pm, Dupont Circle

New York
5:30pm, Union Square

Boston
6:00pm, Park Street Station

San Francisco
6pm to 9pm, Harvey Milk Plaza, Intersection of Market Street and Castro Street

Los Angeles
7pm to 10pm, Vermont & Santa Monica Red Line Metro Station Plaza

San Diego
6:00pm – 9:30pm, County Admin Bldg & Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Pl

A Religious Reflection on Maine

November 4, 2009 12:01PM
Michael Cole

The following personal essay reflecting on the Maine marriage campaign is from Harry Knox, director of HRC’s religion and faith program:

harryknox “By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and wept…how could we sing the songs of Zion…?”

This morning I am wondering who and what I am. Once again, when American voters have had an opportunity to affirm my humanity and the loving commitment I have made to my husband, a majority of those voters have made a conscious decision to deny my humanity and treat me as if my citizenship and my marriage mean nothing; all the while patting themselves on the back for their piety. The slap they intended is received. I am made to wonder – Am I human? Am I an American? Am I a Christian? Am I married?

It is clear that most voters in Maine, like majorities in other states before them, intend for me to feel less than human. People we respect as sisters and brothers in the human family, we treat as equals. Those majorities have reserved to themselves a legal right they feel specially entitled to – in spite of the fact that my husband and I face all the health, financial, familial and social challenges they do, and need the same supports they enjoy.

Here’s what I know.

I know that I was never more beautifully and powerfully human in my life than the day I committed myself to lifelong partnership with my caring, strong, handsome, wise, funny husband. We made ourselves vulnerable to care for each other forever, come what may. There is no more hopeful, faithful, joyful, generative act in all the world. It was a decision only humans could enter into both intellectually and spiritually. It was a total giving of ourselves to each other, and as such, it mirrored in part the gift Christ made for us on the Cross.

Voters in Maine have said with clarity that my husband and I are to be denied equal treatment under the law, despite the Constitutional promises made to us. The voters are unequivocal – we are something, but we are not, in their opinions, American citizens, despite the facts that we are native born or have diligently served our country over the last five decades.

What I know is that Mike and I seek everyday to contribute more to our country and God’s world than we take from it. We have given our lives and careers in the service of others through Christ, and we have invested most of our time and much of our money into helping America live into its promises and potential.

Most Maine voters want us to understand once and for all that the Bible, which has been used to subjugate women, people of color, and the poor of every gender and race is now to be used as a weapon against us. They have gleaned all they intend to learn from their faith and as far as they are concerned, my family can go to hell.

I know that we are disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s incarnate word of truth, love, and justice who lived, died, and through his death and resurrection redeemed and continues to reconcile us, America and all the earth to God’s original vision of peace and caring community.

It is clear to me now that a majority of Americans have chosen to deny my human rights, deny my citizenship, and deny my Christianity, by denying my freedom to marry. So where does that leave me? Who and what am I on November 4, 2009?

I know – I know – that I am married to my husband, Mike. He defends me against all who would do me harm and is faithful to me in spite of all temptations. We have cared for each other through more sickness than health; we’ve known more financial setbacks than gains; we have nursed each others’ family members, wept over the graves of lost loved ones, helped and received help from family and friends, and assisted in raising the children of some heterosexual folks who weren’t able to raise their own. I wake in the morning and nod at night with prayers of thanksgiving for the wonderful man with whom I am building a family by God’s grace.

Today I am tempted to feel like an exile in my native land – to question who and what I am. But this I know: in the end it matters not one whit what others say or believe about me and mine. What matters, today and forever, is what we believe about ourselves. We are fully human. We are Americans. We are Christians. And we are most assuredly married.

When I remember that, the powers of hell cannot prevail against me or my marriage. I am empowered to continue to do the difficult work that will ultimately bring justice in the form of marriage equality to our land. I, and my husband with me, offer our heterosexual neighbors a vision of what the world will look like when we get the human rights we deserve – a world where everyone will live in peace and mutual respect with our neighbors.

Equality Wins Big in Kalamazoo Despite Scare Tactics, Smear Campaign

November 4, 2009 11:34AM
Michael Cole

This post is from Allyson Robinson, HRC’s associate director of diversity:

Voters in Kalamazoo, Michigan gave equality a much-needed boost yesterday by approving an anti-discrimination ordinance there 62 – 38 percent. Ordinance 1856 adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s current anti-discrimination statute and includes protections for employment, housing, and public accommodations.

The Kalamazoo city commission originally approved the ordinance in late 2008 by a unanimous vote. When an opposition group, with the backing of the American Family Association of Michigan, gathered enough signatures to force commissioners to put the ordinance on a citywide ballot, they rescinded it and opened a six-month period of public comment. Expansion of the ordinance’s religious exemptions didn’t satisfy the opposition, so on June 29, the commission adopted the ordinance, again unanimously. A second opposition petition drive succeeded, and city commissioners decided this time to let the voters of Kalamazoo decide.

This pattern of events will sound very familiar to those who have followed the fight for equality at the municipal level. Similar ordinances were proposed in Montgomery County, Maryland and Gainesville, Florida over the last two years, evoking similar reactions from groups opposed to LGBT equality. Also very similar are the tactics those groups have adopted to preserve the ability to discriminate without consequence. In each case, opposition groups focused their attacks on the proposed gender identity protections, claiming that they would make it legal for male sexual predators to enter women’s public restrooms. In Kalamazoo, the opposition group Citizens Voting No stooped even lower, airing TV ads that mocked specific transgender women, using their photos without permission and repeatedly referring to them as men.

Fortunately, another pattern seems to be emerging. The lower the opposition stoops in these fights, the wider the margin by which equality wins in the end. In Kalamazoo, 62% of voters chose to reject the fear-mongering and stand up for equality. In Gainesville last March, voters approved a similar ordinance in the face of similar scare tactics 58% to 42%.

Congratulations to the Kalamazoo City Commission, to One Kalamazoo – the organization that spearheaded the fight for Ordinance 1856 – to HRC’s many sister organizations that played a part in the successful campaign, and to the many activists who worked so hard to see this day.

A Deep and Bitter Disappointment from Maine Yesterday

November 4, 2009 10:15AM
Joe Solmonese

The following is from an e-mail sent to our members and supporters this morning from HRC President Joe Solmonese:

A deep and bitter disappointment from Maine yesterday: Maine voters have passed a devastating Proposition 8-style measure overturning the state’s marriage equality law.

Our hearts are with everyone in Maine who fought so hard to win recognition for their families. The legislature passed marriage equality earlier this year, but a divisive anti-LGBT campaign to scare voters seems to have worked.

It is infuriating to see that the same fear-mongering ads that were used to pass Prop. 8 a year ago have triumphed again at the expense of so many. This is a terrible loss.

Although we lost our battle in Maine, we will not allow the lies and hate – the foundation on which our opponents built their campaign – to break our spirits. We are on the right side of history and we will continue this fight with even more vigor.

Our friends at No on 1/Protect Maine Equality waged a strong and smart campaign. Thousands of volunteers exposed hundreds of thousands of Mainers to the real lives of same-sex couples and their families – many for the first time.

I am angry. But more importantly, I am determined that with the anger I feel today from this outcome in Maine, we’ll rise ever stronger to demand equal treatment under the law and equal respect for our relationships in Maine, California, New Jersey, and every state in the Union.

And in other state elections yesterday…

In Washington state, voters appear to have cast their ballots to approve Referendum 71, a measure that would expand domestic partnerships to have every state-level right and benefit afforded to married couples. I feel confident that when all of the votes are counted, it will be clear that the voters of Washington chose to provide equal rights and benefits to same-sex couples and their families.
In New Jersey, Governor Jon Corzine – endorsed by HRC – has lost his re-election bid. He has been a strong ally for LGBT people in New Jersey, and he had pledged repeatedly to sign a marriage equality bill that could still be passed by legislators later this year.
In Virginia, HRC endorsed Creigh Deeds for governor and placed 20 staffers at work in key delegate races. Deeds unfortunately lost his bid for governor, but there will be new pro-equality voices in the House of Delegates next year.
In Kalamazoo, Michigan, right-wing groups wanted to make sure it stayed legal to fire or refuse housing to someone just because they’re LGBT. 65% of Kalamazoo voters disagreed and voted to approve Ordinance 1856, expanding the city’s existing anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

I know that the results of today’s elections are frustrating.

But having seen the passion and dedication of volunteers in this election, I know that tomorrow is a new day – and that our movement has the strength and power it needs to keep moving forward.

Counting Continues, Long Night Ahead

November 4, 2009 12:30AM
Michael Cole

Some of the results are in with a big win in Kalamazoo, Michigan (upholding a LGBT inclusive non-discrimination ordinance) and disappointing losses in the Gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. News organizations are also calling New York’s 23rd Congressional district race for Bill Owens, defeating anti-LGBT candidate Doug Hoffman.

Counting continues in Maine but sadly those trying to deny critical protections to LGBT families are leading. In Washington State, early returns show a slight lead for upholding domestic partnerships but as it’s a mostly vote-by-mail state, results won’t be final for a few days.

We’ll continue our coverage tomorrow morning and bring you the latest updates here on HRC Back Story.

Pro-LGBT Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Upheld in Kalamazoo

November 3, 2009 9:31PM
Michael Cole

VICTORY! From an email to volunteers on the One Kalamazoo campaign, campaign manager Jon Hoadley declared victory in their effort to keep a LGBT inclusive non-discrimination ordinance on the books:

“Our campaign started with a very basic idea, and today voters confirmed that we are One Kalamazoo,” said Campaign Manager, Jon Hoadley.

With only absentee ballots outstanding, 65 percent of Kalamazoo voters have approved Ordinance 1856 by a vote of 6,463 to 3,527, adding protections for gay and transgender people to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance. This margin is larger than the number of outstanding absentee ballots that are currently being counted.

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The HRC Blog

The Human Rights Campaign’s perspective on the news, issues and events affecting the every day lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across the country.