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NEWS
Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage passes
overwhelmingly
Tennessee voters weigh in on the side of bigotry
 by
Beth Maples-Bays
Equality Herald -
Editor and Publisher
Despite massive efforts by the
statewide LGBT and supportive citizens, Proposition One passed in last
night’s election by a margin of more than 80%. Long lines at many polling
places and a steady rain did not deter voters from casting their ballots
in favor of passing the constitutional amendment. Record voter turnouts in
many precincts across the state leave no doubt that this is indeed the
will of the people of the state of Tennessee.
The ballot measure shored up the 1996 law that made marriage other than
one man-one woman unions illegal in Tennessee. This amendment, passed by
an 81% majority will insure that court challenges will not overturn the
previously passed law.
At the Magnolia Café, one of two official Democratic gatherings in Knox
County, many voters were present to cheer for Harold Ford, Jr. In general,
they were not supportive of the Vote No on 1 efforts.
“I believe in the Bible, and that stuff is a choice,” said one woman
referring to sexual orientation. The sentiment was echoed by many others
in the crowd gathered at the Magnolia Café in Joe Armstrong’s district.
Armstrong won handily over his opponent, Pete Drew.
In Nashville, Vote No on 1 campaign worker Marisa Richmond addressed the
loss. "We fought the good fight. We're grateful for everyone's efforts
across the state," notes Richmond.
Locally, Knox County voters gave Proposition One the nod by a majority of
71%, slightly less that the statewide margin. Despite dismal numbers,
community members see positive results arising from the campaign process.
“I have to agree with Chris Sanders that this is only one battle in the
struggle for our civil rights here in Tennessee,” says Tina McMillan of
the East Tennesseans for Faith and Freedom. “We have made inroads into the
local community and have forged bonds that are positive and productive.”
Arizona made history last night as the first state to reject an
anti-marriage equality ballot initiative. Similar measures were on the
ballot in a total of eight states. They were approved in seven, however
the margin of victory was far smaller than in recent years.
“It’s clear that fear-mongering around same-sex marriage by the GOP and
the extreme Christian right is fizzling out,” said Matt Foreman, executive
director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “It doesn’t have the
juice it had just two years ago — people are getting sick of it.”
The Stonewall Democrats’ Executive Director Jo Wyrick released the
following statement:
"Today, Americans have rejected the failed politics that divided our
families in the past in favor of new leaders with new priorities. Our
members labored with Democrats in precincts across the country to achieve
success tonight at the ballot box. We must now use the political victories
won today to secure concrete results tomorrow."
"An obligation now weighs on LGBT Democrats to help the Democratic Party
deepen its support for our families in its new capacity. It is only
Democratic leadership that can deliver the bipartisan efforts required to
pass fair-minded legislation in Congress and at the statehouse. We are
already working with our members to help Democrats use their newly won
position to fulfill the potential of our party and the promise it has
given to our families."
On the other side of the aisle, the Log Cabin Republican point to the
conservative agenda in explaining losses in both the House and the Senate.
“Social conservatives drove the GOP agenda the last several years. Their
divisive agenda alienated the mainstream Republicans and independents who
determined this election’s outcome. Social conservatives should take
responsibility for this loss,” said Log Cabin Executive Vice President
Patrick Sammon.
In other election news, Harold Ford, Jr., and Schree Pettigrew were both
defeated in last night’s races. Former Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker
defeated Ford in the race for the United States Senate. Corker’s victory
party in Chattanooga celebrated their victory. Appearing on stage with
Corker was his campaign finance director and ex-college roommate Jim
Haslam, Jr., father to Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. Haslam is the founder
of the Pilot Corporation.
Schree Pettigrew, opposed by Stacy Campfield, lost in her bid for the
District 18 seat in the Tennessee General Assembly. Both Ford and
Pettigrew have made it know clearly throughout their campaigns that they
do not support “gay rights.” Ford’s commercials drove that point home
repeatedly. Pettigrew’s Web site does not address LGBT issues at all, an
omission that characterized her entire campaign. Her original campaign
manager, Johnny Dobbins, stepped down soon after the August primaries.
Johnny and his partner, David, are members of the local LGBT community.
Nationally, the Democrats picked up enough seats to gain control of the
House of Representatives. Heath Shuler, former University of Tennessee
football player and NFL football quarterback, beat Charles Taylor, a
five-term Republican incumbent, in the race for North Carolina’s 11th
District congressional seat. The western North Carolina district includes
Asheville.
Nationally, the Democrats have taken control of the House of
Representative with a final tally of 227 to 195. This development brings
Nancy Pelosi D-California to the forefront of national politics in her
historic new role as Speaker of the House. On the Senate side, both
Democrats and Republicans lay clear claim to 49 seats each as the nation
awaits the cliffhanger races in Montana and Virginia. Jon Tester D-Montana
has announced a win over incumbent Republican Conrad Burns, first elected
to the Senate in 1988. Burns’ ties to the Abramoff scandal have reportedly
hurt his re-election efforts. A hand count in Yellowstone County related
to a computer error is reportedly holding up a formal announcement.
The Virginia race looks to be the closest. Democrat Jim Webb and
Republican Sen. George Allen are still locked in a dead heat that will in
all likelihood decide the balance of power in our nation’s upper house.
Official results may come as late as Wednesday. |
