Maryland, Maine approve gay marriage, Washington poised to do so
Olympia, WA -
A referendum which would uphold a gay marriage law approved by lawmakers is leading in Washington state.
With 52% of precincts reporting, Referendum 74 was narrowly leading 52% to 48%.
But with nearly half of the votes yet to be counted, supporters went to sleep Tuesday night saying they were feeling "cautiously optimistic."
"While we don't have a definitive result, we like what we see, and we're cautiously optimistic," said Zach Silk, campaign manager for Washington United for Marriage, the group working to approve the measure.
Washington is among the four states considering the issue of marriage equality. Also voting on Tuesday were Maine, which became the first state to legalize such unions at the ballot box, and Maryland, where voters upheld a marriage law approved by lawmakers. Minnesotans also rejected a constitutional amendment which sought to define marriage as a heterosexual union.
"We'll need patience, but the numbers are coming in the right way," Silk added. "And with Maine and Maryland successfully defending the freedom to marry we believe we are poised to make history in Washington state."
At an election event on Tuesday night, Governor Chris Gregoire, who signed the bill into law, spoke to Referendum 74 supporters.
"We showed the world that love wins out, that families of all types deserve the same rights and protections that are afforded to others," she said.
With 52% of precincts reporting, Referendum 74 was narrowly leading 52% to 48%.
But with nearly half of the votes yet to be counted, supporters went to sleep Tuesday night saying they were feeling "cautiously optimistic."
"While we don't have a definitive result, we like what we see, and we're cautiously optimistic," said Zach Silk, campaign manager for Washington United for Marriage, the group working to approve the measure.
Washington is among the four states considering the issue of marriage equality. Also voting on Tuesday were Maine, which became the first state to legalize such unions at the ballot box, and Maryland, where voters upheld a marriage law approved by lawmakers. Minnesotans also rejected a constitutional amendment which sought to define marriage as a heterosexual union.
"We'll need patience, but the numbers are coming in the right way," Silk added. "And with Maine and Maryland successfully defending the freedom to marry we believe we are poised to make history in Washington state."
At an election event on Tuesday night, Governor Chris Gregoire, who signed the bill into law, spoke to Referendum 74 supporters.
"We showed the world that love wins out, that families of all types deserve the same rights and protections that are afforded to others," she said.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine
