Remember The Maine

Governor Baldacci just signed the marriage equality bill, making Maine the 5th state to allow same-sex couples the right to marry.

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today signed into law LD 1020, An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom.

“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,” Governor Baldacci said. “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,” Governor Baldacci said. “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,” 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.”

“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.’”

There's likely to be a ballot measure on this in the near future. For now, same-sex couples can marry in three more states than they could have just weeks ago.

Gay Marriage Snowball Continues Downhill

Maine passed a gay marriage bill out of both houses of its legislature. After a couple procedural votes, the bill moves to Governor John Baldacci's desk for signature. He has recently hinted toward approval while officially remaining undecided.

And the City Council in Washington, DC, approved recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages, with Marion Barry (yes, he's still a city councilman in Washington) playing the role of sideshow freak:

The vote was originally unanimous, until “councilman Marion Barry proclaimed that he didn’t realize what he was voting for and asked for reconsideration of the measure. The measure was amended to another bill.” Berry said that his nay vote was an “‘agonizing and difficult decision’ that he made after prayer and consulting with the religious community.”

When your only ally is Marion Barry, you aren't in the most advantageous position.

Notably, the DC Council vote forces a vote before Congress, because they hold jurisdiction over city laws. That could get interesting.