Washington's Referendum 71 is, so far, passing. That is very good news. With 100% of the vote in, however, it's only passing by 2% despite having been thought a sure thing (so I'd heard). Apparently, much of the uncounted vote is expected to push this measure further up since a huge chunk is from Seattle. Right now, while it's uncalled, the CW is that it's a done deal. So...yay on that.

A sad loss for marriage equality in Maine. It was close all night and ended with just over a 5-point spread against our side. So I can't get gay-married in Maine. Yet. But as upsetting as it is that marriage rights should ever have to be put to a vote in the year 2009, looking back at the recent history of homophobia, it has to be considered encouraging that we are on the verge of winning the majority of state-wide opinion in favor of marriage equality. Unfortunately, the votes are happening probably just two or three years too soon.

I read a lot about how turn-out was good for our side in Maine, but then read a crush of people hit the polls late in the day. I wonder if turn-out was never a good thing for our side or if all the upbeat reporting spurred people against us to vote?

Discrimination, she wrote.

And since four black people live in Maine, will Dan Savage now proclaim, "No more Mr. Nice Guy!" about...Jessica Fletcher?

 No. Instead, I'm sure he and others will blame one African-American, President Obama. I must say that Obama's caution in never endorsing No On 1 in Maine was appalling. However, regardless of whether you think he sold us out or is just being cautious in order to get health care and other initiatives going, one thing is clear: Winning statewide approval of marriage equality in BLUE states is very fucking hard because as pro-gay as people may seem, they are voting slightly less than pro-gay. This means: Forget about Obama lifting a finger on DOMA or any other truly controversial gay issues. The best we can expect is the lifting of DADT, which is a far more popular concept. And even then, don't look for it to happen soon.

In the near future, the idea that people went out of their way to make it/keep it illegal for people of the same sex to marry will be surprising to young people, and marriage discrimination will be a thing of the past, like "whites only" establishments.

Truly, the only surprises of the night (Corzine losing was BIG but not a BIG SURPRISE considering the economy, his unpopularity and almost every poll taken all year) were the amazing loss of NY-23 by practically-anointed Doug Hoffman (he lost by 4 points after normally reliable PPP had polled him as winning by 14!) and the narrow win Mayor Bloomberg eked out in NYC despite spending $100 million to secure another four years. I had thought Bloomberg was just staying in office in order to run as an Independent vs. Obama and [fill in name of right-wing loony] in 2012...perhaps almost losing to [fill in name of any Democrat] in NYC will disavow him of this notion.