Election Day 2009: What It Means

Last night's elections included three high-profile ballot measures directly related to rights and protections for LGBT individuals. It was a night of good news and bad news, with perhaps the highest-profile item of the three being a setback for LGBT couples and straight allies seeking marriage equality.

In Maine, anti-LGBT forces placed Question 1 on yesterday's ballot, which sought to overturn the same-sex marriage rights the Maine Legislature established for LGBT couples earlier this year. Though the No on 1 campaign is expected to call for a recount, it appears that the margin of defeat -- though slight by election standards -- will be too great to overcome. This Time article places the defeat in the greater context of the LGBT equality movement, as well as what it means in Maine. The article, interestingly, points out that while the anti-LGBT side might characterize this as a "people's veto," the legislature could pass another same-sex marriage bill if they so choose. For the time being, though, it appears that Maine will once again enter the ranks of states without marriage equality.

In Washington State, voters endorsed a domestic partnership bill signed into law earlier this year, giving domestic partners in that state the same legal rights and protections as afforded by marriage. This Seattle Post-Intelligencer article details the victory won by LGBT supporters in that state -- as well as the legal challenges that may come next.

In Kalamazoo, Mich., voters supported -- by an overwhelming margin -- a measure extending anti-discrimination protections to LGBT individuals. This Kalamazoo Gazette article documents the victory won by the One Kalamazoo campaign.

It's certainly too simplistic to quote Meat Loaf here and say, "Two out of three ain't bad." Last night's results highlights that LGBT equality will be an ongoing struggle, often with the sorts of simultaneous peaks and valleys that we witnessed last night. As the Bilerico Project noted in its election night coverage, a number of openly gay and lesbian candidates in cities across the U.S. either won elections outright or advanced to run-offs. While gay marriage is certainly still a contentious issue in state elections, the fact that openly gay candidates can not only run but win indicates some level of progress in the drive for LGBT equality.

But we're far from finished in our quest for LGBT equality. In Austin, we'll respond to the election the way people in equality movements often do: with a Saturday, November 7, 1 p.m. rally at Austin City Hall. It's important to show support now, just as it was this time last year when LGBT supporters were still stinging from the passage of Proposition 8 in California. While it's important to know about these latest victories and defeats, it's even more important to place them in the context of what we're ultimately trying to accomplish.