Washington state residents this week approved Referendum 71 - a law giving same-sex couples the same state benefits as heterosexual married couples - 52 percent to 48 percent. Registered couples, among other benefits, will have the right to use sick leave to care for one another and will be able to claim one another's death benefits. The law is expected to take effect in about a month, as soon as the vote is certified.

Nicknamed "Everything but Marriage," Referendum 71 asked voters to approve or reject a sweeping domestic-partnerships bill passed by the Washington legislature this spring and signed by Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire. Congratulations, Washington state residents!

In other, less exciting news this week, voters in Maine overturned a law - 53 percent to 47 percent - that would have legalized same-sex marriage. The state legislature originally passed a bill in May to legalize same-sex marriage, (a move that was approved by Governor John Baldacci). However, a petition by opponents of marriage equality, orchestrated by churches and conservative organizations, stalled the law's implementation until it was brought to vote this week. Maine is the third state in which residents have reversed lawmakers' decisions to permit same-sex marriages, after California and Hawaii.

The decisions in both Washington and Maine were sharply watched across the nation, with many considering the turnout to be a sign of where the country is moving in terms of its opinion of same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in four states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Iowa. Not to be outdone, New Hampshire will begin granting marriage licenses to same-sex couple in January 2010.

On a similar note, New York Governor David Paterson included a vote on same-sex marriage in a special session of the state Senate scheduled for Tuesday. The bill has already been approved by the Assembly, although the prediction is that the Senate may not pass it as easily.

Although the defeat in Maine is a blow to the marriage equality movement, the win in Washington state is hopefully a sign that the U.S. is warming to the idea of same-sex couples having the same rights as those in heterosexual relationships.

[Image: KATU]