Maine Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Maine Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage


Same-sex marriage became legal in Maine on Wednesday as Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill less than an hour after the state legislature approved it.

"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," said Baldacci, a Democrat.

But he raised the possibility that the residents of the state would overturn the law.
[Read Full Story]
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About time. Maine joins Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as Iowa in allowing same-sex marriages. California s still thinking on the matter, and New Hampshire, Rhode Island and New York are considering the matter.

Michael Badnarik Quote

Marriage partners, not government, should define the terms and spiritual orientation of their union in accordance with our nation's guarantee of religious freedom.

• Source: Gay Rights http://badnarik.org/plans_gayrights.php

Proposed measure would change state's recognition of all marriages

Proposed measure would change state's recognition of all marriages

Quote:

Wyatt Buchanan Thursday, March 12, 2009 The same-sex marriage debate has been at a boiling point since California voters approved Proposition 8 in November, deciding by a slim margin to ban such couples from being wed in the state. Out of the furor comes an idea that attempts to sidestep the debate: A ballot measure, approved for circulation this week, that would eliminate the term "marriage" from state statutes and replace it with "domestic partnerships." According to the summary of the measure, " 'Marriage' itself would become a social ceremony, recognized by only nongovernmental institutions." The measure, which will need 694,354 signatures by Aug. 6 to qualify for the November 2010 ballot, is the brainchild of two straight college students from Southern California.

ROFLMFAO!!!!

For U.S. immigration, 'partnered' doesn't count

For U.S. immigration, 'partnered' doesn't count

Quote:

John Wildermuth, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, April 3, 2009 Shirley Tan has been with her partner, Jay Mercado, for 23 years. The Pacifica women have twin 12-year-old sons and have been registered domestic partners since 1991. That means nothing to the federal government, which recognizes only a marriage between a man and a woman. Federal authorities ordered Tan, who is not a U.S. citizen, to be deported from San Francisco to her native Philippines this morning. But with the help of her congresswoman, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, Tan received a three-week stay of the deportation order, allowing her to remain with her family until April 22.

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A test case on same-sex fairness

A test case on same-sex fairness

Quote:

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Shirley Tan is a 43-year old Pacifica homemaker and mother of twin seventh-grade boys. Tan also wears an ankle bracelet assigned by immigration agents after a dawn raid on her home two months ago. Barring a legal miracle, she faces likely deportation to the Philippines on Friday. That result would devastate her family and friends. But her case also touches off two flashpoint issues - immigration law and same-sex marriage - that are combining in a way that shows the unfairness of this country's laws. If she is deported, Tan will be separated from her partner Jay Mercado, who is a naturalized citizen. For straight couples, there wouldn't be a similar problem because a citizen can sponsor a spouse for residency. But under the federal Defense of Marriage Act, this right doesn't exist for an estimated 37,000 same-sex couples where one partner is a noncitizen.

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New York governor to propose legalizing same-sex marriage

New York governor to propose legalizing same-sex marriage

• Story Highlights
• Assemblyman says governor's office asked him to attend announcement of bill
  
• Previous governor filed same bill, which passed Assembly but not Senate
  
• Gov. Paterson has said he is committed to "full marriage equality in New York State"
  
• "We hope to have this bill passed at the end of June," assemblyman says

If the legislation passes, it would make New York the fifth state to legalize same sex-marriage. Similar measures have been approved by courts or lawmakers in Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts and Iowa.

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It would be nice to see NY do the right thing here, and give people a reason to come here, rather than leave for a change.

Anti-Gay BS Video.

Nice people. "My daughter is being taught at school that gay marriage is okay, and I'm afraid!"

Of what? Equality? That she'll be taught tolerance? That Gays are people too and worthy of respect and that it's not ok to insult, taunt or assault them?

Oh good heavens! There goes the nation. What so ever will we do?

Probably collapse into utter ruin just like Canada did after they legalized same-sex marriage nation wide. They did collapse right? There's nothing but a well decorated crater where Canada once was right? Because legalizing Gay Marriage there destroyed the nation and forced the straights into Forced Decorating Camps, right after all the religions were banned and forced the nation into a heathen rainbow annihilation, right?

Oh wait. That never happened. Life just went on, and more people got to be families, and society didn't collapse.

Gay Rights News 4-8-09

Same-sex marriage rights a step closer in District of Columbia

• Story Highlights
• Washington Council votes 12-0 for legislation recognizing same-sex marriages
• Council is expected to hold a final vote on May 5; if approved, must got to Congress
• City's law provides domestic partnerships for lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples
• Human Rights Campaign urges federal lawmakers not to intervene

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/07/dc.marriage/index.html


With veto overrides, Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage

• Story Highlights
• Vermont House and Senate voted Tuesday to override governor's veto of bill
• Same-sex marriages will become legal in Vermont on September 1
• Vermont becomes fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage
• Jubilant supporters of the bill throng legislative building after the override votes

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/07/same.sex.marriage/index.html#cnnSTCText



Iowa court backs gay marriage

• Story Highlights
• NEW: "This is a great day for civil rights in Iowa," Lambda Legal attorney says
• Iowa joins Massachusetts and Connecticut in allowing same-sex marriages
• Decision upholds 2007 ruling by lower court that said ban stigmatized gay couples
• Debate rages in New England as two state legislatures consider the issue

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/...tml#cnnSTCText


New Hampshire House OKs same-sex marriage

• Story Highlights
• Gov. John Lynch has not publicly indicated whether he will veto measure
• Lynch opposes same-sex marriage, but signed civil unions into law in 2007
• Measure passes House by a vote of 186-179, moves on to state Senate
• Vermont Senate also approved a measure legalizing same-sex marriage this week

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/...tml#cnnSTCText




Four states have legalized it: Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa.
California's Supreme Court is considering restoring the right to marry to gays.
New Hampshire looks to be legalizing it.

Sooner or later the US SC will have to actually decide the matter. Would be nice to join other civilized nations like Canada and do it.