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1

As a native Oregonian, this is really weird. I remember wearing a "No on 9" pink-triangle button to middle school.

One of my friends at the time asked me why I wanted to support "special" rights for gays, one of the T.V. ad slogans at the time.

It's nice to see that those days are over.

Posted by Chip | May 9, 2007 9:59 PM
2

Awesome! Congratulations Oregon.

Washington wake up!

Posted by WA WA | May 10, 2007 12:33 AM
3

what are the nine other states?

Posted by em | May 10, 2007 7:45 AM
4

em @ 3,

Tons of info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_unions

Posted by Original Andrew | May 10, 2007 8:17 AM
5

less than 3 years ago Oregonians approved a Constitutional Amendment against marriage. At least in Washington we only have a statute and that was put in place by the legislature (not that we wouldn't have voted the same). Does it make any sense for our current leg. to try to repeal that Doma now? since they put it into law in the first place? or would that trigger a statewide vote on a Con. Amend.? I would like to hope that the people of Washington are at least as progressive as those in Arizona who rejected it.

Posted by something else | May 10, 2007 9:37 AM
6

The constitution in this state is inherently difficult to change compared with most other states. You must have a 2/3 majority of both houses of the legislature then adoption by majority vote of the voters.

DOMA should be repealed. There may even be the votes for it in the legislature given the D's majorities, but it would put Gregoire and her 129 votes in a difficult pickle come re-election time.

As for marriage equality, pressure is building for this to occur in many different states, including ours. Because of the difficulties in getting DOMA incorporated into the constitution (hence why it's by statute) Washington will be in the initial group of states that pass such legislation on its own volition. However, this will take some time.

I believe the landscape will be vastly different 10 years from now just as it is compared to 10 years ago. We're making progress.

Posted by Dave Coffman | May 10, 2007 11:14 AM
7

I still remember the commercials for measure 9. They were so horrible. I don't know which was worse, the one with the shocked and saddened kid who found out he had been given to gay men or the one with the "gay" guy saying gay people didn't need any "special rights."

I'm really happy my state is finally being progressive instead of highly conservative with a liberal candy coating.

It almost makes me want to turn on Lars, just to hear him cry about gays ruining his way of life.

Posted by Shea | May 11, 2007 9:21 AM

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