Anti-gay marriage measure loses in ArizonaBy Bob Baum
Associated Press
Nov. 8, 2006 06:36 AMVoters in the historically conservative state of Arizona have become the first in the nation to reject a ballot measure banning same-sex marriage.
Twenty-seven other states have approved anti-gay marriage ballot measures, including seven on Tuesday. But by 51 percent to 49 percent, Arizonans voted down Proposition 107, which would have amended the state's Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
The deciding aspect may have been the broad reach of the measure.
Same-sex marriage already was illegal under state law, but not as part of the Constitution. Proposition 107 would have barred government entities - such as the state, cities, counties, universities and school districts - from recognizing any relationship similar to marriage, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships, in providing benefits to their employees.