It's Not Just Maine on Tuesday....

Much of the focus about same-sex marriage has been on Maine, and rightly so. Tuesday's referendum is similar to California's Proposition 8, which made same-sex marriage illegal.  Yet there are two differences: (1)the Maine referendum the voters are weighing in on is a law passed by their representatives, not a decision by the courts; (2) the vote is about overturning a law passed by lawmakers, not about amending a constitution to prohibit gay marriage.  The Maine vote is important, but there are other important decisions to be made on Tuesday:

1. Washington State: The legislature passed and the governor signed into law a bill extending partnership rights to same sex couples. This bill is not marriage, but it does give gay couples visitation rights, adoption rights, the right to inherit pensions, and family leave rights. The anti-marriage leaders(obviously not just anti-marriage, but also anti-any rights for same sex couples), collected just enough signature to put the question on the ballot.

2. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Ordinance 156 would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  The issue of gender identity seems to be especially contentious here; those against the measure have used fear of bathrooms (who should go where?) to bolster their case.


3. New York State: Although gay marriage or gay rights aren't officially on the ballot here, what has happened during the last few days should be a call to arms to anyone who supports equal rights for LBGT people.  Dede Scozzafava is a moderate Republican who was nominated for the Congressional Seat in NY-23.  This is a special election.  She favors marriage equality and a woman's right to choose.  This was not to the liking of the Republican right wing, so Palin and company brought in a social conservative from outside the district to run against the nominee of their own party.  That's how narrow this party has become.  Big tent?  There isn't even an umbrella.  On Saturday, Dede Scozzafava withdrew from the race.  She was outspent and had little national support from the Republicans.  Now it looks like the conservative -- running head-to-head against the democratic candidate -- may win in this district that has been Republican for over a century.  A whole wing of the Republican Party is being pushed out.  The question remains as to whether these moderates will fight for their place at the table, or roll over and drink the Far Right Kool Aid.  Here's hoping that they fight.  This is a huge issue with enormous ramifications for national politics.  Some Democrats are happy that the Republican Party is engaged in such infighting.  I don't agree with them.  I think such ideological purity in the Republican Party is unhealthy not just for the party, but for the country.  Stay tuned.