The Maine house of
representatives approved a bill 89-58 on Tuesday that would
extend marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples, following
a 22-14 vote by the senate on Thursday.
The bill must still go
to Gov. John Baldacci, who opposes same-sex marriage, for
approval. David Farmer, a spokesman for Balducci, told the
New York Times
that the governor is "listening to what people have to
say. But at the end of the day, I think it will come down to
what he believes is the right thing to do."
If Baldacci does sign
the legislation, the Portland, Maine Catholic Diocese and other
groups are already pushing for a "people's veto,"
forcing a referendum vote on the issue before it can become
officially legal. The effort would require 55,087
signatures.
The house vote came
after hours of emotional testimony, including personal stories
about the people in their lives, and their own marriage
struggles.
Rep. Veronica Mangan
said that her choice to support the bill conflicts with her
Pentecostal faith, but in the end, "this is more of a
choice of conscience than Constitution. I support this bill
because it's the right thing to do."
Charles Priest,
chairman of the house judiciary committee said one of his two
daughters is a lesbian, and has a son with her partner. "I
want that child to grow up so her civil rights are recognized.
I want my granddaughter to live in a stable, civil
marriage."
Representative Sheryl
Briggs, however,
said that she opposed same-sex marriage
even though her daughter is a lesbian.
"Blame it on my
upbringing, or the good book, but the deepest part of my soul
tells me that this is wrong," Briggs said. "I
can't change how I feel. These feelings run very deep. I
have kept this secret within me for 15 years, but because of
who I am, and where I am today, and as a member of this
legislative body, ethically, it is my duty, and my
responsibility, to publicly say to my daughter, that I do not
support her way of life."
The house bill had 55
cosponsors, about a third of the 151-member body.
The senate turned down
a bill that would have sent the issue to voters in a referendum
in an upcoming election, rather than pass the measure
legislatively. A poll of Maine residents from April 22 shows
that 49.5 percent of respondents said they opposed the bill and
47.3 percent said they support it. Another 3.3
percent said they were unsure.
If Baldacci does
endorse the bill, and there isn't enough momentum to get a
referendum on the ballot, the state would start issuing
marriage licenses 90 days after the legislature adjourns,
currently scheduled for June 17.
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