Gay marriage foes concede defeat on ballot measure

Opponents of Referendum 74 conceded defeat today but said their effort to overturn the state's gay marriage law is not a turning point for the nation on the subject of marriage.

"We are disappointed in losing a tough election battle on marriage by a narrow margin. But while we are disappointed, we are not defeated. We are fighting for a cause that is true, and beautiful, and right—the sacred institution of marriage," Joseph Backholm, chairman of Preserve Marriage Washington, said in a prepared statement.

Backholm, who is also executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington based in Lynnwood, also said:

"Our opponents and some in the media will try to portray this election as a turning point, but it's not a turning point to win on your home turf. The election results reflect the political and funding advantages our opponents enjoyed in this very liberal and secular state. The results show only that in a deep blue state, with a huge financial advantage, gay marriage activists can win—barely."

As of this afternoon, the measure was being approved by 52 percent. Supporters of the measure declared victory Wednesday afternoon.