If Washington State were a hotbed of hatred, anti-gay initiatives would receive strong support.

Oregonians defeated the most rabidly intolerant of this year's anti-gay initiatives, Measure 9.

Colorado, site of some of the finest ski areas in the nation, adopted a bigoted anti-gay initiative last month, shattering the state's reputation for tolerance.

"With courts in California, Oregon and Colorado declaring anti-gay initiatives unconstitutional, it's a big boost for us."

Some proposed anti-gay initiatives also sound neutral, civil liberties groups say.

An unabashed liberal, she was an outspoken opponent of a statewide anti-gay initiative that was defeated by voters last year.

Seven Oregon communities are scheduled to vote on anti-gay initiatives in late September.