Maine closing in on same-sex marriage

Uthrecht · #1 5th May 2009, 11:49 AM

Just saw this ticker article over on CNN. The Maine bill allowing same-sex marriage has been approved by the legislature and is going to the governor now. Sounds like that might not be a slam-dunk, though. Anyone see any other articles on the current status, or the governor's state of mind?

Seeker of Truth & Beauty · #2 5th May 2009, 12:20 PM

Thank you for posting this -- I hadn't heard yet.

9004-70-0 · #3 5th May 2009, 12:33 PM

It passed the senate some time ago. It passed the house today. The two version will need to be reconciled and voted on again, then it will go to Baldacci, who has tried his very best to stay out of it and not influence the vote, but he'll sign it once it's passed. That's all settled, we could skip to the conclusion right now.

After that, there will, without a doubt in my mind, be a citizen's veto launched. Whether it will be successful is the real question. You have to keep in mind, there are three distinct Maines. There's southern Maine, which you can consider an extension of Massachusetts. The veto will soundly fail there. There's my Maine, which is more rural, but still very liberal. It will be closer, but I predict it will fail here, too. Then there's northern Maine. It's largely unpopulated, but the creatures that do live there are terrifying indeed. It's them we need to worry about.

Uthrecht · #4 5th May 2009, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the input, 9004-70-0. Yeah, I simplified a bit with the legislature approval comment. Do you think, population-wise, the northern group would have enough numbers to push a potential veto through?

9004-70-0 · #5 5th May 2009, 01:08 PM

The population of Portland alone dwarfs that of the entirety of northern Maine, but compared to liberals, when it comes to voting conservatives tend to me more... rabid, shall we say? It takes a concerted effort to get supporters to actually vote. In 2005, the campaign against Question 1 (an attempt to veto outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity) was certainly successful and the veto handily defeated, but it was hard work. What will surely become Question 1 part 2 will be even more difficult.

blank · #6 5th May 2009, 01:14 PM

That's great news for Islander. She'll now be able to legally get hitched to her hot 20-something blonde girlfriend.

Zeener Diode · #7 5th May 2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blank

That's great news for Islander. She'll now be able to legally get hitched to her hot 20-something blonde girlfriend.

Well box me twice on Sunday! I thought she was the blonde!

FrozenBananas · #8 5th May 2009, 01:59 PM

Being a straight NewYorker, it doesn't really affect me personally, but I gotta say, this is good news. I hope it goes through.

Radical Edward · #9 5th May 2009, 02:47 PM

Yay! I live in Alabama so I have no hope for any changes here in the near future, but I always do a little dance for other states. Go Maine!

blank · #10 6th May 2009, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starwarsfreek42

Yay! I live in Alabama so I have no hope for any changes here in the near future, but I always do a little dance for other states. Go Maine!

Ah Alabama- where the current debate is that if a man and woman divorce, do they still remain brother and sister.

Radical Edward · #11 6th May 2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blank

Ah Alabama- where the current debate is that if a man and woman divorce, do they still remain brother and sister.

I say no, but obviously my opinions aren't very popular around here.

9004-70-0 · #12 6th May 2009, 09:34 AM

And it's done. The senate confirmed the house's bill and Baldacci signed it a little over an hour ago. I figured they'd do it as quickly as possible.

Now the work needs to begin to prepare for the November referendum election.

Mirhanda · #13 6th May 2009, 10:53 AM

Will they be allowing people to marry in the meantime?

9004-70-0 · #14 6th May 2009, 11:14 AM

The law will become active in 90 days. If the detractors can get 55,000 signatures certified before then, it will be put on hold until the election (for those unfamiliar with Maine, that's about 5% of the total population).

They want a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage, but they're not going to get it. Amending the constitution requires two thirds of the house and senate before it can even go to a vote or a constitutional convention, and they just don't have that. They could veto this law, however.

Islander · #15 6th May 2009, 11:56 AM

Wow. This census worker just got home and missed your dialog but I've been following it on PBS and heard a couple of hours ago that the gov signed it. There's a very vocal minority here, as you've just read, so you can be sure we haven't heard the last of this. The Christian conservatives are strident, but outside of that group...no one really cares. Overall Maine is a pretty tolerant state. We're one of the 13 or so with a medical marijuana law. "Death with dignity" will be next (sshhh—don't call it "assisted suicide").

Confidential to Zeener Diode & Blank: yes, I AM the blonde!
Uh, wait, what did I just do?