Congrats Maine!

[Eanair]

Maine Governor Signs Bill Allowing Gay Marriage

Gov. John Baldacci signed the legislation shortly after the Maine legislature passed it Wednesday.

AP

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine's governor has signed a bill making the state the fifth to allow gay marriage.

Gov. John Baldacci signed the legislation shortly after the Maine legislature passed it Wednesday.

New Hampshire legislators are also poised to send a gay marriage bill to their governor. He has not indicated whether he'll sign it.

If gay marriage becomes law in New Hampshire, Rhode Island would be the sole holdout in New England.

Iowa is the only state outside the region to allow the practice. California briefly allowed it before voters banned it.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/06/maine-governor-signs-allowing-gay-marriage/

[leekohler]

Yes! This is awesome! Thanks Maine! We love you!

[Eanair]

Gov. Baldacci's statement:

I have followed closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully. I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste.

I appreciate the tone brought to this debate by both sides of the issue. This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question.

In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. 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.

Article I in the Maine Constitution states that 'no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person's civil rights or be discriminated against.'

This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State. It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine's civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government. Even as I sign this important legislation into law, I recognize that this may not be the final word. 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.

While the good and just people of Maine may determine this issue, my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do.

Emphasis mine.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/05/06/1924233.aspx

[leekohler]

Yay! Only 45 more to go. :)

[Eanair]

We should note though that there is a possibility for the people to pass a referendum.

[mkrishnan]

Nice work, Maine! I have a lesbian friend, and she and her partner went back up to Maine when she finished her doctorate. I'm sure she'll be glad to hear this.

We should note though that there is a possibility for the people to pass a referendum.

Gay marriage ultimately needs constitutional protection for exactly this reason.

[leekohler]

We should note though that there is a possibility for the people to pass a referendum.

Yeah, but wouldn't it be a few years off? Odds are it wouldn't pass by then.

[jackiecanev2]

Wirelessly posted (BB 8900: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.101 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/301)

Of every news station, you cite fox news.

Which makes me smile. :)

[Eanair]

Yeah, but wouldn't it be a few years off? Odds are it wouldn't pass by then.

If enough signatures are collected, gay marriage goes on the November ballot and could be defeated then.

[Sky Blue]

Come on, New Hampshire and RI!

[Gelfin]

Finally, a little known fact: as soon as Maine passed this law, all the lobsters turned gay. It shouldn't have any effect, as they were already unclean anyway.

[KompleX]

great way to start the day w/ some good news!

[Rt&Dzine]

Finally, a little known fact: as soon as Maine passed this law, all the lobsters turned gay. It shouldn't have any effect, as they were already unclean anyway.

Double-Abomination!

or is it Abomination²

:eek:

[Eanair]

Double-Abomination!

or is it Abomination²

:eek:


I like Abomination²

[yg17]

Finally, a little known fact: as soon as Maine passed this law, all the lobsters turned gay. It shouldn't have any effect, as they were already unclean anyway.

Is Red Lobster renaming their chain to Purple Lobster? :D

[Eanair]

Is Red Lobster renaming their chain to Purple Lobster? :D

Better than that - the lobsters themselves will now turn purple.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/scienceray/2008/07/05/204975_3.jpg

[remmy]

If you are legally married in one state, is it recognised in other states even if they are currently against?

[Eanair]

If you are legally married in one state, is it recognised in other states even if they are currently against?

IIRC, it's up to the states to decide that.

The DOMA barred federal recognition of same sex marriage, and allows states to decide to do the same.

[leekohler]

IIRC, it's up to the states to decide that.

The DOMA barred federal recognition of same sex marriage, and allows states to decide to do the same.

Which we're hoping gets overturned soon. It'll be a long fight on that one though.

[Counterfit]

Come on, New Hampshire and RI!
We're working on it dammit!
Finally, a little known fact: as soon as Maine passed this law, all the lobsters turned gay. It shouldn't have any effect, as they were already unclean anyway.
I hope the gay lobsters like the "experiment", because we'll run out pretty soon otherwise! :eek:
Is Red Lobster renaming their chain to Purple Lobster? :D

Rainbow Lobster