Maine Marriage Equality

Maine voters repealed the law permitted gay marriage, by a vote of 52.7% to 48.3% on November 3, 2009.http://elections.nytimes.com/2009/results/other.html
The Maine Marriage Equality bill had been passed by the Maine legislature, and signed into law by Governor John Baldacci in May of 2009. Polls the morning of the election showed supporters of repealing the law ahead by 51-47%, with a 2.9% margin of error. Governor Baldacci, a Roman Catholic, who first supported civil unions, but came to supported marriage equality, hoped that Mainers uphold the law he signed in May. Baldacci stated, "History shines a light on you once every so often. We have an opportunity as individuals to do the right thing."http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120045772
Fast Facts
1. Marriage Equality Bill: LD 1020, "An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom"http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6974668.html
2. Marriage Equality bill signed into law: May 6, 2009
3. Maine one of six states to legalize gay marriage
4. Question 1 placed on the ballot as a people's veto: September 2, 2009
5. Yes vote on Question 1: Would prohibit gay marriage
6. No vote on Question 1: Would permit gay marriage
7. Implementation of the Marriage Equality law will not occur until after the November 3 vote
8. Law repealed by "people's veto": November 3, 2009http://elections.nytimes.com/2009/results/other.html
Religious Freedom

While the bill authorized both civil and religious ceremonies for same-sex couples, it permitted a religious body to refuse to perform a marriage for a gay couple if it went against their doctrine.http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/6974668.html
Text of Maine Ballot Question 1

Do you want to reject the new law that lets same sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?

Veteran Speaks For Gay Rights

On April 22, 2009, Philip Spooner, an 86 year old veteran testified at the Maine state hearings for the Marriage Equality bill, by stating that when asked whether or not he supported gay and lesbian rights he answered "What do you think I fought for on Omaha beach?"

Comments (1)

jasoncalacanis added a comment October 21, 2009 08:55 PM
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Very powerful

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Maine Senate President Libby Mitchell Speaks on Marriage Equality

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Maine Marriage Equality News
- DC marriage bill heads to Congress
  
  The 11-2 vote came on the heels to two recent, stinging losses—the New York Senate rejection of a marriage equality bill there, and the Nov. ... (December 22, 2009)
  Windy City Times
- La Jolla teen campaigns for equality
  
  4 this year in an unsuccessful attempt to help convince voters there retain that state's marriage equality law. Passionate about equality issues, ... (December 23, 2009)
  La Jolla Light
- Freshman Year, the gay marriage episode: Polis versus Chaffetz
  
  When America's premier child and mental health associations and their expert panels endorse marriage equality, there is no moral or ethical reason to ... (December 23, 2009)
  The Colorado Independent
- After New York, will marriage equality have to wait?
  
  Last month Maine became the 31st state to block same-sex marriage through a referendum. The Maine State Legislature had voted to legalize same-sex unions ... (December 02, 2009)
  Los Angeles Times
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Maine Marriage Equality Videos Powered by YouTube
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Maine Marriage Equality Links Powered by Google
- Box Turtle Bulletin » Maine Marriage Equality Opponents: Yeah, We ...
  
  Box Turtle Bulletin » Maine Marriage Equality Opponents: Yeah, We’re Lying
  boxturtlebulletin.com
- Rod 2.0:Beta: WATCH: Maine Marriage Equality Foes Ramp Up Scare ...
  
  The Yes on 1/Stand for Marriage Campaign launched its third television spot last night in Maine. More lies and fear tactics around children and "homosexual marriage", which guidanc...
  rodonline.typepad.com
- Open Left:: Maine Marriage Equality and OpenLeft
  openleft.com
- New Ad: Maine Marriage Equality Foes Continue Campaign of Fear ...
  towleroad.com
- Vote No on 1 | Protect Maine Equality
  
  Vote No on 1 | Protect Maine Equality
  protectmaineequality.org
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Maine Marriage Equality Blogs
- UUA: UUA President Issues Statement on Maine Marriage Equality Defeat
  
  UUA President Issues Statement on Maine Marriage Equality Defeat. November 4, 2009. Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), released the following statement today: ... (November 04, 2009)
  uua.org
- Freshman Year, the gay marriage episode: Polis versus Chaffetz ...
  
  NOM famously championed Proposition 8 in California, the ballot initiative there that outlawed gay marriage. NOM similarly was the primary force behind the successful drive to overturn Maine's gay marriage law last month. ... When A... (December 23, 2009)
  coloradoindependent.com
- Joe. My. God.: Maine Reporter Fired For Personal Email Against ...
  
  Maine Reporter Fired For Personal Email Against Marriage Equality. Larry Grard, an 18-year veteran of Maine's Morning Sentinel, has been fired after his employers were notified by the Human Rights Campaign that he had s... (December 08, 2009)
  joemygod.blogspot.com
- Maine gay marriage supporters plan to make it 2010 election issue ...
  
  Dorian Cole, communications director of Equality Maine, said no decision has been made about how the campaign will proceed with a new gay marriage initiative. Advocates could seek legislation through either a bill or a citize... (December 20, 2009)
  seacoastonline.com
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Mahalo Answers for Maine Marriage Equality
- Should the government really have the right to forbid gay marriage? 4 Answers
  
  No the government should not have the right to stop 2 people in love from making any kind of commitment to each other. Who are they to dictate and write the law... read more
- Can a marriage survive without sex? 6 Answers
  
  I think it ultimately depends on the individual couple. I guess it could work for some people. Personally, I would have a hard time dealing with a sexless marri... read more
- How are interracial marriages bad for children? 9 Answers
  
  As context to the answer I'll state that (1) nobody should have the right to tell two consenting competent adults who they can or cannot marry; and (2) overall,... read more
- if x does not equal 0, is x^20 6 Answers
  
  Ok I'm gonna have to go against the grain and say NO. @rickg had it right that if it is a real number, then x^2 > 0. However your question doesn't specify that ... read more
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- RT @zlheiden Marriage Equality in Maine - Reflecting on the Wins That Led Up to the Loss. http://bit.ly/8W54BV
- Marriage Equality in Maine - Reflecting on the Wins That Led Up to the Loss. http://bit.ly/8W54BV
- MCLU Blog: Marriage Equality in Maine - Reflecting on the Wins That Led Up to the Loss.: http://bit.ly/7SeqPn #mclu
- So, now Mexico City will have marriage equality too. How does that make you feel, California, New York and Maine? (via @shrewteaz)
- Not NY or Maine, tho. RT @truthwinsout Marriage Equality Comes to Mexico City: http://bit.ly/8HstAH
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