Enough signatures collected in Maine for a gay marriage vote

[Eanair]

PORTLAND, Maine - Gay marriage foes in Maine say they’ve collected enough signatures to stop the new law from going into effect and to force a statewide vote in November.

Mark Mutty from the Stand for Marriage Maine coalition says it took only four weeks to gather the more than 55,087 signatures necessary to put gay marriage to a vote. But he says signature gathering will continue to ensure there’s more than enough petitions.

The law that’s scheduled to go into effect on Sept. 12 will be put on hold after the signatures are submitted and certified by the secretary of state’s office.

Six states allow gay marriage. Maine became the fifth state to allow gay marriage in May, and New Hampshire later followed suit.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/20090708gay_marriage_foes_reach_signature_goal_in_maine/srvc=home&position=recent

[iGary]

A popular vote shouldn't be used to allow discrimination.

[Thomas Veil]

What ************.

Two glimmers of hope. First, if it gets on the ballot maybe it'll be voted down. And second, even if it passes, as long as it's not a constitutional amendment (the article doesn't say), it could get tossed by the courts.

Why do people enjoy being so mean-spirited? Because God tells them to? :rolleyes: :mad:

[leekohler]

******* this! Hey- let's put blacks' and women's rights up for a vote too. :mad:

[Queso]

Well, I suppose this is when we find out what lessons have been learned from the anti-Prop 8 failure. I'd like to believe the fundies will get their arses kicked, with 70% or more voting for marriage equality, but I very much doubt that outcome.

[leekohler]

Well, I suppose this is when we find out what lessons have been learned from the anti-Prop 8 failure. I'd like to believe the fundies will get their arses kicked, with 70% or more voting for marriage equality, but I very much doubt that outcome.

Let's wait and see the numbers first. The East Coast is fairly liberal. I can see this being defeated.

I also think it's fairly pathetic that all it takes is a little more than 55,000 signatures to do something like this.

[yg17]

Let's wait and see the numbers first. The East Coast is fairly liberal. I can see this being defeated.

California is pretty liberal too, I thought for sure Prop H8 would be defeated there too.

[iGary]

Let's wait and see the numbers first. The East Coast is fairly liberal. I can see this being defeated.

I also think it's fairly pathetic that all it takes is a little more than 55,000 signatures to do something like this.

It's going to be close. When it comes down to it, most people still think homosexuals are icky.

I have people I work with that I get along with very well that would probably vote against gay marriage. And they know just about everything about my outside life and that I've been with my partner for 10 years.

[leekohler]

It's going to be close. When it comes down to it, most people still think homosexuals are icky.

I have people I work with that I get along with very well that would probably vote against gay marriage. And they know just about everything about my outside life and that I've been with my partner for 10 years.

I live in a bubble. There isn't anyone I know in this city who would vote against equal marriage rights, let alone in my office. This town is really with it when it comes to us.

[Gelfin]

Maine's homophobes are at a serious disadvantage.

Unlike California, Maine's state constitution has no provision to place constitutional amendments on the ballot by voter petition. These signatures must therefore be for ordinary law. The only body that could propose a constitutional amendment would be the legislature that legalized same-sex marriage to begin with.

If this law passes, it will be challenged in court, and Maine's courts are probably likely to be informed by the Marriage Cases just as Iowa's were.

My guess: nothing but a speed bump.

[iGary]

I live in a bubble. There isn't anyone I know in this city who would vote against equal marriage rights, let alone in my office. This town is really with it when it comes to us.

Well so is D.C., but I don't live there any longer. :)

[leekohler]

Maine's homophobes are at a serious disadvantage.

Unlike California, Maine's state constitution has no provision to place constitutional amendments on the ballot by voter petition. These signatures must therefore be for ordinary law. The only body that could propose a constitutional amendment would be the legislature that legalized same-sex marriage to begin with.

If this law passes, it will be challenged in court, and Maine's courts are probably likely to be informed by the Marriage Cases just as Iowa's were.

My guess: nothing but a speed bump.

Thanks for the info. That's very encouraging.

[Tomorrow]

Regardless of the outcome, I can see it being rendered completely moot within a few years by something on the federal level.

[leekohler]

Regardless of the outcome, I can see it being rendered completely moot within a few years by something on the federal level.

We can only hope.

[Eanair]

A popular vote shouldn't be used to allow discrimination.

My thoughts exactly.