Gay partnership measure approved by voters

(Olympia, Wash.)  Washington voters have approved the state’s new “everything but marriage” law, expanding rights for domestic partners and marking the first time any state’s voters have approved a gay equality measure at the ballot box.

With about 72 percent of the expected vote counted Thursday in unofficial returns, Referendum 71 …

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Microsoft donates $100 k for gay partners effort

(Olympia, Wash.) Microsoft Corp. has donated $100,000 to the campaign supporting more partnership rights for Washington state gay couples.

That’s the largest single donation in favor of Referendum 71, which asks voters to approve or reject a new law that expands domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples. Microsoft is based …

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Gay rights measures on the ballot in three states

(Olympia, Wash.) Nearly a year after California voters overturned same-sex marriage, voters in three other states will weigh in this fall on whether to reverse gay rights initiatives ranging from anti-discrimination measures to marriage benefits.

In Maine, voters will decide whether or not to uphold the state’s legalization of same-sex marriage. …

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Judge shields signatures in gay rights referendum

(Olympia, Wash.) A federal judge on Thursday ordered the state of Washington to keep shielding the identities of people who signed petitions to force a vote on expanded benefits for gay couples.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma granted the preliminary injunction involving petitions for Referendum 71 while a related …

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Gay rights supporters won’t appeal vote on gay benefits

(Olympia, Wash) Supporters of the state’s most recent expansion of domestic partnership rights announced Wednesday they won’t appeal to the Washington Supreme Court to try and block a public vote on the new law.

Washington Families Standing Together chairwoman Anne Levinson said the group will now focus on a campaign to …

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WA judge rejects challenge to vote on gay benefits

(Olympia, Wash) A judge on Tuesday refused to block a proposed ballot initiative on expanded domestic partnership benefits for gay couples in Washington state.

An appeal was considered likely, however, with just a few days remaining before officials need to begin printing materials for the Nov. 3 general election.

The case involves …

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Anti-domestic partner referendum makes ballot

(Olympia, Wash.) A referendum on an expansion of Washington’s domestic partnership law for gay couples has qualified for the November ballot, election officials said Monday.

The “everything but marriage” measure broadens recognition of domestic partnerships by granting gay and lesbian couples all the remaining state-provided benefits presently extended only to married …

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Wash. gay partnership foes turn in signatures

(Olympia, Wash) Sponsors of a campaign to overturn Washington state’s domestic partnership law turned in their petition signatures Saturday and said they believe they have enough to force a public vote.

The expanded “everything but marriage” domestic partnership law was scheduled to take effect Sunday, but is now delayed until the …

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Wash. gay partnership foes say “too close to call”

OLYMPIA, Wash. —

Washington state’s latest expansion of domestic partnerships for gay couples was hanging in limbo Friday as opponents announced a final push to force a public vote, calling their effort so far “too close to call.”

In a statement to supporters, organizers of the Referendum 71 campaign said they believe they will have at least the minimum 120,577 petition signatures needed by Saturday to qualify for the ballot.

However, R-71 organizer Gary Randall said the campaign doesn’t have enough extra signatures to act as a cushion for erroneous or duplicate petition signatures, which must come from registered Washington voters.

To help meet the deadline, Randall appealed to R-71 supporters to gather additional signatures and drive them to the state Capitol on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re not trying to have a rally or anything,” Randall said later by telephone. “We need the signatures, we truly do.”

The new “everything but marriage” expansion of domestic partnerships is scheduled to take effect Sunday, but the law will be delayed if referendum sponsors turn in their petitions.

See Wash. gay partnership foes say “too close to call”

Seattle Times

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/wash-gay-part…

Pride House: A home for gay Olympians

t’s mid summer, so the 2010 Winter Olympics are just a few months away. Already in the host city of Vancouver, the GLBT community is making sure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender athletes – and their families, friends and supporters – won’t be left out in the cold.

Gay Whistler – a group that works year-round promoting the Whistler ski resort (where skiing, bobsled and luge events will be held) to the GLBT community – is doing more than just welcoming gay competitors and fans. It’s opening Pride House, a meeting place in Pan Pacific Whistler Centre – located right in the thick of the Olympic hubbub.
Pride House will feature a lounge with TV screens. Information about upcoming Gay Games, Outgames and the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association will be available. Athletes, coaches, families and friends who live in gay-intolerant countries can also obtain legal information about seeking refugee status in Canada.

See Pride House: A home for gay Olympians

Gay and Lesbian Times

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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/pride-house-h…

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