Maine Enacts Marriage Equality, NH....
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| Wed, 05-06-2009 - 1:14pm |
Maine Enacts Marriage Equality, NH Legislature Approves It
Complete article see link........
http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20310413&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568864&rfi=6
Less than an hour after the Maine Senate gave final approval to a marriage equality bill, Democratic Governor John Balducci on May 6 signed the legislation into law. A day earlier, the House of Representatives had given approval to the measure, by a vote of 89-57, passed in preliminary form, by the Senate last week. The final Senate vote this week was 21-13.
In a written statement Balducci said, "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."
The House vote on May 5 came shortly after the defeat of an amendment that would have forced the question onto a voter referendum in November. The amendment was defeated 85-62.
The Bangor Daily News described the House's three-hour debate as "emotional," but Representative James Martin, an out gay Orono Democrat, said, "I'm also glad we've moved beyond the contentious debate over the issue that's taken place over the past 25 years. It was a very civil debate today."
Martin and his partner celebrated a commitment ceremony nine years ago and plan to marry if the law is enacted in Maine.
The Bangor newspaper reported that while the bill had more Democratic votes than Republican, it passed with bipartisan support.
Noting he would soon celebrate his 53rd wedding anniversary, Representative James J. Campbell Jr., a Newfield Republican, said, "They have been the best 53 years of my life. I don't want to stand here and say that two men and two women cannot have what I've had for the past 53 years with my wife."


Such a good week!
....And because life isn't funny enough already ...
Marion Barry, the four-time married ex-con, tax-evading crack addict, has declared himself a "moral leader" in the fight against same sex marriage.
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/04/marion-barry-declares-himself-moral-leader-at-antigay-dc-protest.html
Thank you, Jesus :)
fairly damsely
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LOL He's such an 'upstanding' citizen.
The Gay Marriage Debate, Live From D.C.
http://ta-nehisicoates.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/05/the_gay_marriage_debate_live_from_dc.php
I just wish my state would call it 'marriage'.
Just to follow up:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/05/marion.barry.arrested/