As of around 11 pm EST last night, the United States had a new President-Elect: Barack Obama. This makes me very, very happy. (Though I do admit that my glee was somewhat lessened by my cat's decision to celebrate by puking.) Red states went blue, voter turnout was great, history was made!

More good news: the various anti-choice state propositions and measures were voted down. The bad news: the various anti-gay state propositions and measures were passed. A nice succinct summary of the various propositions can be found at Feministing.

It's so weird that a single election can represent great hope and progress, yet also reflect such inequality and close-mindedness. I wish we could do away with state-sanctioned marriages in general. Just make everything civil unions; reserve the term 'marriage' for the religious rite and leave its definition up to the churches, synagogues, mosques, covens, etc. Separation of church and state: it's good for all involved.