Maine senate
kills proposed gay marriage ban

A proposed constitutional amendment seeking to ban same-sex marriages in Maine is dead for the current legislative session following a senate vote Wednesday. Supporters said the amendment would have bolstered Maine's statute that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. But opponents saw no need to add the language to the state constitution. The amendment would have needed a two-thirds majority in the house and senate in order to be sent on to voters. On Tuesday, representatives denied the bill even a simple majority as they rejected it 88-56. (AP)