A big win for gay marriage rights on election day

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

After gay marriage rights died at the
polls 32 times in the past, on Tuesday they passed for the first time in at least
two states, and changes in state legislatures makes securing gay marriage rights more likely. Same-sex marriage victories go beyond Maine and Maryland:

Supporters of gay marriage succeeded Tuesday night not just on ballot
referenda but in state legislatures. Maine and Maryland voted to
legalize same-sex marriage, Washington state gay marriage advocates are confident
their referendum will pass, and voters in Minnesota rejected a
constitutional amendment banning the practice (though it is still
illegal in the state). But on top of those victories come some other
significant gains that could lead to new legislation in 2013. 

An Iowa judge running for reelection was targeted over his ruling in favor of gay marriage, but he kept his seat. Democrats held onto the Iowa Senate, blocking Republicans who hoped to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. 

Democrats also regained control
of the state legislature in Minnesota. With both chambers and the
governorship, they will likely repeal the state’s gay marriage ban —
exactly what conservatives hoped to prevent with the failed
constitutional amendment. 

Colorado will have gay leaders in charge of both the House and the Senate in 2013, after winning the lower chamber
Tuesday. Republicans defeated a civil unions bill in the state Senate
this year; Democrats will have the power to pass it next year.

Democrats say they have taken the state Senate in New York, where the National Organization for Marriage had targeted lawmakers who voted in gay marriage last year.

And, of course, Wisconsin elected the country’s first openly gay U.S. senator, Tammy Baldwin.