Let’s start with the bitter and end with the sweet. As many of you are aware, in May earlier this year lawmakers in Maine and New Hampshire voted in favor of same-sex marriage. However, now it seems that Maine shares the same fate as California. On November 3rd, voters in Maine narrowly rejected the state law that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed. 53% of voters opposed gay marriage while 47% supported it. Maine would have been the 6th state in the country to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, but instead it is now the 31st state to oppose the unions in a popular vote.

In more bitter news, New Jersey governor Jon Corzine, endorsed by the Humans Right Council, lost his re-election bid. Corzine had been a strong ally for LGBT people in New Jersey, and had pledged repeatedly that he would sign a marriage equality bill that could still be passed by legislators later this year. Also, in Virginia, HRC endorsed Creigh Deeds lost his bid for governor. However, there will be new pro-equality voices in the House of Delegates next year.

Now for the sweet! In Washington state, voters have cast their ballots to approve Referendum 71, a measure that expands domestic partnerships to have every state-level right and benefit afforded to married couples. The tally saw the vote to approve R-71 leading about 52 percent to 48 percent.

Finally, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, right-wing groups wanted to make sure it stayed legal to fire or refuse housing to someone just because they’re LGBT. 65% of Kalamazoo voters disagreed and voted to approve Ordinance 1856, expanding the city’s existing anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.