Wednesday, May 06, 2009

maine becomes fifth state to recognize marriage equality

Another day, another state.

Today, same-sex marriage is now legal in Maine, the fifth state in the U.S. to recognize marriage equality. After both houses of the state legislature passed a marriage bill, Gov. John Baldacci signed the bill within an hour.

"I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage," said Baldacci, a Democrat.

But he raised the possibility that the residents of the state would overturn the law, saying, "Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people."

Three other states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa -- allow same-sex marriages. Vermont has passed a law making gay and lesbian marriages legal that takes effect in September. New Hampshire lawmakers are close to passing a similar bill.

On Tuesday, the Washington City Council voted to recognize same-sex marriages from states that allow those unions. Mayor Adrian Fenty has indicated that he will sign the measure. It will become law if Congress fails to overturn the measure during a 30-day review period.

Congratulations to those that worked hard for this victory in Maine, and we encourage other states on the verge, such as New Hampshire and New York, to come to similar conclusions. If conservatives really consider marriage equality to be a states' rights issue, then they won't mind if states continue to rule in favor of marriage equality.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why not just do away with the idea of marriage altogether and let us just write contracts to settle disputes. Marriage was invented and designed by God anyway. If he is outdated, then marriage should be too.

Anonymous said...

Marriage wasn't invented by God; It was invented by man.

And so was God, by the way.

Anonymous said...

I will be so glad when all 49 states but Texas have same sex marriage. When Texas stands alone, the gays will hopefully be gone from our great state to greener pastures.

Anonymous said...

Well that should be about Half of Texas or more since Texas is suppose to be the state that is full of Steers and Queers.

BTW: Marriage was invented by man and so was God. Religion is nothing more then a mere cult that was created by man to control man. The so purpose of marriage then was to give rights to women as women were not allowed to own property. Later it didn't become a religious issue until King Henry asked a Catholic Priest to bless his wedding. And thus the religious nuts decided to claim Marriage as theirs in which it is not. Marriage is a civil and equal right to everyone not just belonging to one group.
We are not asking for a church or religion to recognize our relationship, we are only asking that the government recognize us so we can share the same rights and benefits that hetro couples get to enjoy for free.
Currently in order for us to receive a few benefits that you get for free, we have to seek out a lawyer experienced in our relationships and pay high attorney fees and filling fees and even then those rights are not guarantied. People please understand, we are not attacking your Marriage nor are we trying to make yours mean any less. We just want marriage to be equal for everyone.

Anonymous said...

Atheist and Gays were invented by man not God. They are bio-genetic miss-fires that share the same affliction, they're damaged goods.

Anonymous said...

"Marriage was invented by man and so was God. Religion is nothing more then..."

Yup, I expect you'll be posting your manifesto any day now. Lucky we can pick you out at 100 feet, with the bugged out eyes and long beard.

Freak.

Anonymous said...

"Marriage was invented by man and so was God. Religion is nothing more then..."

I really hope no one is forced to suck down your second hand pot smoke.

Joseph said...

It's quite obvious the GOP has been using same sex marriage as a smokescreen during the last 2 presidential elections. So let the argument happen now, instead of two weeks before a major election.

jojo said...

I don't believe in this awful gay marriage garbage. It is a sexual preference and it is a sin. I am not that religious, but I do believe in God and it is wrong to marry the same sex. Marriage is between a man and a woman, ONLY! I agree that gays have a diseased genetic problem. It is not normal to want the same sex.

jojo said...

These states allowing gay marriage, will do nothing but decrease the population. Gay people will in up destroying the human race. The traditional marriage between a man and a woman is on it's way out because of these dumb Governor's State to State allowing such to evolve.

Anonymous said...

I think It's wonderful that these so-called people now have someplace to go!! Please go SOON!!
And certainly "forever and ever!!"

smitty said...

Ah Texas - you're once again stepping up to the plate and confirming your reputation as gun toting, boot wearing, ignorant hillbillies.

Grow up people. Gay marriage is not going to effect you or your family in any way whatsoever.

Gay people have monogamous and committed relationships. My partner and I have been together for 18 years and have two great (and straight btw) kids. We would like the same rights and privileges awarded to other people who have made this same commitment.

If God invented marriage then why are atheists allowed to get married? Do you have to believe in God to be married in the United States? Last time I checked, God still loved Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, Belgium and Sweden. All of which allow Gay marriage.

This is a civil issue, not a religious one. I don't smoke pot. I assure you I don't have any sort of genetic disorder, I go to church, I'm a tax paying law abiding citizen who wants to marry the woman I love.

Anonymous said...

The idea of doing away with marriage altogether would allow us to start fresh without the stigmas. That way everyone can have any kind of partner they want or however many they want. If we take God out of it, then we are just animals anyway. Other animals don't have ceremonies, laws or moral objections about who they hump. Ah hell, love is an invention of God too. If we're just animals, it's all about eat, drink, be merry and survival for tomorrow we die. Let's do away with that too and just go after our instincts. I'm actually considering following the example of a Lion king. I'll move into a village (pride), kill all the other males and their offspring, while taking all the women for myself. I'm sure a couple homolions hanging around wouldn't be a threat. As long as they don't try to reproduce with any of my women or take over my reign, I wouldn't have to kill them. Unless, of course, the urge strikes me and I decide to take their man to for the night. Without borrowing from a theist worldview, give me one objection to my plan.

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