Maine Legislature to Address Gay Marriage Battle

Equality Maine says it has collected more than 33,000 signatures to be sent to state lawmakers in support of legalizing same-sex marriage -- but religious opponents are readying a counteramendment to the state constitution that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Equality Maine says it has collected more than 33,000 signatures to be sent to state lawmakers in support of legalizing same-sex marriage -- but religious opponents are readying a counter amendment to the state constitution which would define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

The Associated Press is reporting that both sides of the marriage fight are newly mobilized following the legalization of marriage in Connecticut and the recent recommendation of a committee in New Jersey that same-sex marriage be legalized.

Both sides agree that any marriage bill that wins legislative approval would be challenged in a people’s veto referendum. (Advocate.com)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (3) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Adrian
Date posted: 12/16/2008 2:36:00 AM
Hometown: Northridge, CA

Comment:
We have to keep reminding family, friends and people that religious fundamentalists are the modern day Pharessees. They are easily mislead people because of their title and position in the community and their sweet mouth that spread love and justice but they do differently. What a typical Pharesses.
Back to top
Name: Sydney
Date posted: 12/15/2008 10:20:00 PM
Hometown: Florida

Comment:
I used to live in Maine and the people that we met there were very accepting and did not judge. We were able to help each other with our views of people and our levels of tolerance. Good for Maine!
Back to top
Name: Roger Burr
Date posted: 12/15/2008 8:03:00 PM
Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

Comment:
Let the 'religious right', which actually is neither, do their damndest. People in Maine are fair-minded, tolerant and accepting of others. IF this goes to a referendum, I'll bet same-sex marriage is legalized. If the legislature handles it; probably the same.

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Commentary Progress in the Midwest
A city native and strong supporter of Kalamazoo's effort to keep an anti-discrimination law reflects on a hard-won campaign.

Commentary What Marriage in Maine Meant for Me

Dana Hernandez is a straight white married mother of two young children. But in campaigning for No on 1 and reporting Election Night outcomes for Advocate.com, defeat hit her like a ton of bricks.

Marriage Equality Terri White Stages Her Leather Encore

Last year, acclaimed stage performer Terri White was homeless and living in a public park. On Sunday, she and her partner held a leather-themed commitment ceremony onstage following her triumphant Broadway turn in Finian’s Rainbow.

Music Ghost Story

Out singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile discusses working with her childhood mentor, coming out publicly, and joining next year's Lilith Fair.

News View From Washington: GOP Upheaval

Now that the only pro-marriage equality candidate in New York's 23rd Congressional district, Republican Dede Scozzafava, has dropped out of the race, Tuesday's election holds any number of political lessons for both the GOP and the LGBT community.

Books Hot Sheet: Ditto Knocking 'Em Dead

This week might not bring anything to the screen other than a Boondock Saints sequel, but there are plenty of reasons to sit at home on the couch or head to your local concert venue.

News Features Sailor Speaks Out
Sailor Joseph Rocha endured years of hazing until he spoke out — then he was discharged for revealing his homosexuality. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is itching to suit back up.

Music Rainbow High

Busy Broadway heartthrob, gay rights activist, and former Advocate coverboy Cheyenne Jackson chats about his Finian’s Rainbow revival, his politically charged cabaret CD, and laying around in his underpants (pic on page five).

Marriage Equality For Maine, The Time is Now
Money is on their side and the polls look optimistic, but volunteers fighting to preserve marriage equality in Maine are prepared for a fight to the finish.

Television Another Tough Broad

After being outed by a Nazi and locking lips with a hook-up three times in one episode, Christine Woods's tough-talking FBI agent Janis Hawk on ABC's FlashForward might just be prime time's best gay offering — who isn't in Glee club, that is.

Books In Sickness and in Health

Mary Cappello’s memoir Called Back takes readers on a white-knuckle journey through the experience of cancer treatment in America — especially disorienting to navigate as a woman and a lesbian.

Books An American Crime

Best-selling novelist Patricia Cornwell made headlines last week when she filed suit against a New York investment firm for losing $40 million of her money. But she'd much rather talk about her new book, hate-crimes legislation, and Angelina Jolie.

Comedy Gilded Lily

After conquering Broadway, movies, and television, out funny lady Lily Tomlin prepares for the final frontier — Las Vegas.

Entertainment News Ricky Martin, No Shirt and a Baby
Ricky Martin knows how to get the camera's attention. Take a look at the many pictures of Ricky uploaded to his Twitter account in the past three months, always shirtless, frequently carrying one (or both) of his babies.

Television Fresh Blood
With True Blood a bona-fide cultural phenomenon, producer Alan Ball offers tantalizing hints about what to expect on season 3.