Opinion
New York Times Ignores Washington State as Next Potential Gay Marriage Battleground
Out here on the edge of the known universe, we’re nearly 3,000 miles away from New York City. Out of sight, out of mind, apparently.
I was reading this front page New York Times story this morning, titled “Beyond New York, Gay Marriage Faces Hurdles,” which falls into the ever-popular “yes, but...” category of analytical daily newspaper stories. The article, by the talented Nicholas Confessore (a Washington Monthly alum -- google his Monthly articles, it’s worth it), points out that gay marriage proponents, fresh off their milestone victory in the (Republican-controlled, no less) New York State Senate on Friday night, have limited opportunities, at least in the short term, to win similar victories elsewhere.
Confessore explains that in the wake of New York legalizing gay marriage, national gay rights groups see immediate opportunities in a handful of other states. Regarding legislative targets, Maryland tops the list, followed by Rhode Island. Maine, as well as our annoyingly Cinderella-like stepsister, Oregon (she used to be so lame; when did she get so damn cool?), are recognized as states where marriage ballot measures next year are likely. In the longer term, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are targets for pro-gay marriage forces.
So what about Washington State? What are we, chopped liver?
There is at least talk among some gay leaders in Washington about a possible statewide ballot measure in 2012 to create full gay marriage rights here. We’ll see where that goes, but they have cause to give the idea a serious look. Washington State voters strongly rejected (53-47) a 2009 referendum to repeal the “everything but marriage” law signed into law by Gov. Gregoire earlier that year despite the fact that the Christian conservative backers of the referendum campaigned relentlessly that the law was the equivalent of full gay marriage—a major gay rights victory that also did not get a mention in the Times article.
Yes, despite the New York victory, national gay rights advocates still face big hurdles in much of the country to passing a full marriage law. But if they’re not seriously looking at Washington State as one of the potential bright spots on the map, they’re not doing their homework.
I was reading this front page New York Times story this morning, titled “Beyond New York, Gay Marriage Faces Hurdles,” which falls into the ever-popular “yes, but...” category of analytical daily newspaper stories. The article, by the talented Nicholas Confessore (a Washington Monthly alum -- google his Monthly articles, it’s worth it), points out that gay marriage proponents, fresh off their milestone victory in the (Republican-controlled, no less) New York State Senate on Friday night, have limited opportunities, at least in the short term, to win similar victories elsewhere.
Confessore explains that in the wake of New York legalizing gay marriage, national gay rights groups see immediate opportunities in a handful of other states. Regarding legislative targets, Maryland tops the list, followed by Rhode Island. Maine, as well as our annoyingly Cinderella-like stepsister, Oregon (she used to be so lame; when did she get so damn cool?), are recognized as states where marriage ballot measures next year are likely. In the longer term, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are targets for pro-gay marriage forces.
So what about Washington State? What are we, chopped liver?
There is at least talk among some gay leaders in Washington about a possible statewide ballot measure in 2012 to create full gay marriage rights here. We’ll see where that goes, but they have cause to give the idea a serious look. Washington State voters strongly rejected (53-47) a 2009 referendum to repeal the “everything but marriage” law signed into law by Gov. Gregoire earlier that year despite the fact that the Christian conservative backers of the referendum campaigned relentlessly that the law was the equivalent of full gay marriage—a major gay rights victory that also did not get a mention in the Times article.
Yes, despite the New York victory, national gay rights advocates still face big hurdles in much of the country to passing a full marriage law. But if they’re not seriously looking at Washington State as one of the potential bright spots on the map, they’re not doing their homework.
