Maine becomes 5th state to allow same-sex marriage

05/06/09 AP:

"AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine's governor signed a freshly passed bill [LD 1020] Wednesday approving gay marriage, making it the fifth state to approve the practice and moving New England closer to allowing it throughout the region."

05/06/09 press release by Governor John E. Baldacci:

“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Governor Baldacci said. “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.”

05/06/09 Reuters:

"The law in the rugged state of 1.3 million people takes effect 90 days from when the legislative session ends, likely in June. But if the bill's opponents gather 55,000 signatures, they can delay it pending a referendum, which would likely be held in the next election in November, said the governor's spokesman, David Farmer."

05/09/06 Boston Edge:

"Senate Majority Leader Philip Bartlett II said the bill does not compel religious institutions to recognize gay marriage. 'We respect religious liberties, said Bartlett. 'This is long overdue.' Like other, similar laws in the four other states that allow gay marriage, there is a religious 'carve out' that allows clergy the freedom not to perform such marriages. 'This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs,' the governor emphasized."

The Boston Edge also reports that "Maine’s anti-marriage forces, headed by the Maine Marriage Alliance and the Catholic Church, will undoubtedly get the 55,000 signatures on a petition to put gay marriage on the ballot as a referendum in the next election."

New Hampshire UnionLeader.com:

"New Hampshire's House could send this state's gay marriage legislation to Gov. John Lynch today. An earlier version of the bill passed the House by just seven votes. It is not clear what Lynch will do if the bill comes to him for signature."

Source of reference to UnionLeader.com: ADF Alliance Alert

IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 17 U.S.C. SECTION 107, THIS MATERIAL IS DISTRIBUTED WITHOUT PROFIT TO THOSE WHO HAVE EXPRESSED A PRIOR INTEREST IN RECEIVING THE INCLUDED INFORMATION FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. PROP8LEGALCOMMENTARY HAS NO AFFILIATION WHATSOEVER WITH THE ORIGINATOR OF THIS ARTICLE NOR IS PROP8LEGALCOMMENTARY ENDORSED OR SPONSORED BY THE ORIGINATOR.