API Equality-LA Reacts to Results in Maine and Washington Affecting Same Sex Couples

Voters supported Maine’s Question 1, repealing marriage equality, but voters appear to approve Washington State’s Referendum 71, affirming extended domestic partnership protections

Los Angeles – On Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, voters in Maine repealed a law that allowed marriage between same-sex partners. Doreena Wong, co-chair of API Equality – LA stated, "We are deeply disappointed that the voters in Maine have chosen to reject the rights of same sex couples and have cast their vote for inequality over fairness."

However, Washington State provided a glimmer of hope for the gay marriage movement. Voters seemed to affirm the importance of extended domestic partnership protections, which closely resembles marriage. Reverend Dr. Jonipher Kwong, who heads the Faith committee of API Equality-LA, said, "We are happy that the voters in Washington stood up for gays and lesbians -- but domestic partnership is not marriage and we look forward to the day that Washington grants gays and lesbians full equality under the law."