Maine Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill

[t0dd]

Source: Turn Maine Blue

Just before noon today, the Maine Senate, in a vote of 20-15, passed L.D. 1020, An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom. The voted included one Democrat voting against it, Troy Jackson from Aroostook, and one Republican in favor, Chris Rector (R-Knox). Both men stated that they voted as they felt their constituents would want them to.

Sen. Jackson later called himself a coward for not voting based on his own conscience. Senator, I commend you for doing your job, that is representing the people of your district.

Afterward, an amendment to send the bill directly to a referendum vote this November was defeated 22-13.

The bill now goes on to the House.

Read more: http://www.turnmaineblue.com/

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This follows a similar decision by the NH Senate yesterday to legalize same-sex marriage there. Gay marriage in all of New England isn't so far off at all now...

[aquart]

1. Oh my.

Oh my.

[frebrd]

2. K&R! n/t

[chemp]

3. Now if only my state

Rhode Island will get off its ass and pass some meaningful legislation. Seems like we're always the last bigot on the block...

[iamjoy]

8. At Least You're On The Block

Who knows when my state will even go the "separate but equal" route (civil unions). It seems even further away since in the last election, over 60% of the voters don't think same sex couples should have any legal recognition. It also limits opposite sex domestic partners, but they can get married

"This amendment protects marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife and provides that no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized"

x(

[No Elephants]

23. On this issue, unfortunately, you still have lots of time to activate before RI becomes last again.

[tomm2thumbs]

4. thanks for posting K&R!!

wave after wave washing over the shores of injustice

[SurfingScientist]

5. A storm is brewing... TeeHee!!! :)

Now, let NY join soon... and CA come to its mind!!!

:grouphug:

[fight4my3sons]

6. k&r

I was just coming to post :)

[MaineDem]

7. That was the first vote

The final vote for passage was 22-13, I believe.

And they voted to NOT send it out for referendum.

It will easily pass the House.

[iandhr]

9. question

If the house passes the bill will the governor sign it.


Oh and buy the way K&R

[t0dd]

11. I'm guessing he will

He previously said he felt marriage was between a man and a woman, but I believe that was a few years ago. Here's a source that seems to hint he will sign too..

http://www.queerty.com/did-maines-governor-just-decide-hell-support-gay-marriage-20090430/

[WritingIsMyReligion]

20. I think he would.

He's not that liberal a Democrat at all, but I think he wouldn't bother vetoing something that went easily through Congress.

[barbtries]

10. this is great n/t

[Veruca Salt]

12. The big question is...

Will we beat NH in getting marriage equality first?! GO MAINE! :woohoo: :applause:

[lazyriver]

13. Feeling extra proud to be a Mainer today. We're almost there.

Time to write a letter to Baldacci urging him to sign the bill.

[Maine-ah]

14. woo-hoo!!!

:woohoo:

[defendandprotect]

15. Good for Maine -- !!!

And hope that all other states will be flying the "homosexual friendly flags" --

[closeupready]

16. K&R

:woohoo:

[blueclown]

17. Any ideas on the support numbers in the House?

And will the governor veto the bill if it passes the House?

[NWHarkness]

18. The House is much more Democratic ( 96-54 )

Although not all Dems quite get the equality concept, passage in the house should be pretty much assured.

My feeling is that Baldacci will sign. He's termed out, he has nothing to lose.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

21. House is much bluer than the Senate. If it passed the Senate, it should go easily through the House.

The governor is John Baldacci, a Democrat but not a particularly liberal one. A few years back he claimed to oppose gay marriage. That said, I don't think he'd bother to veto something if both branches of Congress passed it with no problems arising.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

19. If it passed the Senate, it should fly through the House with no qualms.

The only question remaining is whether Baldacci will veto it or not--he's said to be personally not in favor of homosexual unions, but I'm not sure he'd veto something that went relatively easily through both houses of Congress.

That said, we'll still have a fight: if it passes, Michael Heath and his Organization Formerly Known as the Maine Christian Civic League have sworn to get it on the ballot in November for possible overturning. Not sure how a vote would go down here.

[Moderate2008]

22. Wow, I hadn't heard about that (nt)

[No Elephants]

24. Donate to the Human Rights Campaign because a battle in Maine is sure to follow.

[MaineDem]

25. Better yet, donate to Equality Maine

https://secure.ga4.org/01/eqme_donate

They are taking the point on this and will during the fight to overturn this law (which will surely happen.)

I still have a problem with the HRC backing Susan Collins in the last election over a very good liberal opponent.