Las Vegas: Don't Gamble With Our Rights

Sean Carnage sends these to us.

Same-Sex Marriage Dead in Arizona

Numbers show Arizona's Proposition 102 has passed -- same-sex marriage has now been constitutionally banned in the state. With final numbers yet to come, voters in the Grand Canyon state have clearly said no to same-sex unions. Preliminary results show the measure has the backing of more than 56% of voters so far. 

Arizonans essentially reversed a 2006 vote against such a measure, ensuring the definition of marriage can never be changed by a judge or the legislature, unless voters undo Prop. 102 with a future amendment. This year's proposition -- unlike 2006's -- didn't include a ban on domestic-partnership benefits or block the potential for civil unions, reasoning which most likely swayed many voters.

Blame the Mormons, says Krysten Sinema, who led the campaign against the proposition. "The Mormon church was very involved and was not in the past," she told Tucson's Arizona Daily Star. "That made a huge difference." (Neal Broverman)

Arizona's Prop. 102 looks to pass

55% of the votes go to yes on Prop. 2, 44.39% against... more to come

Optimism in Arizona

From a party in north Phoenix of about six gay guys: They think that if Proposition 102 passes, the definition of marriage will be closed in the state and the gay community will focus on civil unions. Regardless, there's massive excitement in the room over Obama's projected win.

"With Obama being elected, this country is about to change in a major direction," Mike Rahm, a Phoenix resident, says. Rahm believes that even if Prop. 102 passes there's a larger sea change happening in this country; "Years from now, gay marriage will be common." If the antigay amendments pass (in Arizona, California, Florida, and Arkansas), it's seen as more of a temporary setback than a permanent denial of gay and lesbian rights. (The Advocate)

And Now the Viewing Parties Begin

The pre-party for Prop. 102 is heating up at Phoenix's Ice Pics video bar (this may go without saying, it's a gay establishment).

Zach Dowing, 29, was there and says, "If it does pass, I have no doubt that some sort of proposition or legal action will repeal Prop. 102. If it doesn't pass it'll be a huge stepping stone for such a young state."

Dowing was heartened by the big Phoenix rallies that drew hundreds of people who protested against 102.

Fun fact: Dowing is a former intern for McCain -- and he voted for Obama. (The Advocate)

Arizona's Prop. 102 a Waiting Game

Kyrsten Sinema, chairwoman of Arizona Together, the main group fighting the state's antigay Proposition 102, tells us there's no exit polling for the proposition being conducted, but preliminary results should be available at 8 p.m. Those prelim results will be just the mail-in and early ballots, as Arizona has reported high numbers for advance voting.

Sinema (pictured), also a state lawmaker, said the last poll on 102 was conducted almost a month ago and showed 49% of Arizona voters were for it, 42% were against it, and 9% were undecided.

"We have volunteers stationed at all the high-traffic polling stations," Sinema tells Advocate.com. "They're doing their best to get voters all the information they need." (The Advocate)