Maine legalizes gay marriage

Maine became the fifth U.S. state to legalize gay marriage Wednesday, adding to the surge of victories in equality the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has achieved this spring. The bill, entitled An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom, gives same-sex couples the freedom to marry while protecting the rights of a church to refuse performing any ceremony it disagrees with. The bill was passed by the Maine Senate on April 30, approved by the House on May 5, and signed into law by Governor John E. Baldacci on May 6.

“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” said Governor Baldacci. “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.”

Just three weeks ago, on May 22, thousands attended a legislative hearing in Maine’s Augusta Civic Center to testify in support of the marriage equality bill. Dressed in a sea of red shirts, scarves, ties and jackets, about 3,000 supporters arrived from all corners of Maine – an overwhelming number in contrast to the 1,000 who showed up in opposition to the bill.

Dozens of gay and lesbian families testified on the importance of legalizing same-sex marriage and the heavy dangers LGBT families face without equal protection under the law. Among those in favor of the pro-LGBT measure were also members of the clergy. The Rev. Mark Worth spoke on behalf of the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine.

“We are here to bear witness that many religious leaders and religious communities honor and bless the love between same-sex partners,” said the Rev. Worth. “But your job today is not to settle ecclesiastical disputes, but rather to ensure justice and fairness for all Maine citizens without favor and without prejudice.”

SAVE Dade joined dozens of out-of-state and Maine-based organizations in Portland on April 24 thru April 26 for the Maine LGBT Power Summit hosted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, EqualityMaine and The Mentoring Project. Throughout the weekend, organizations were trained on how to strengthen their grassroots political power and advance legislation significant to the LGBT movement. SAVE Dade leaders refined their skills in volunteer management, fundraising and lobbying, increasing SAVE Dade’s capacity to fight for equality.

In the midst of one of Maine’s largest same-sex marriage campaigns, SAVE Dade helped kick off EqualityMaine’s door-to-door canvassing program promoting the civil marriage bill. SAVE Dade leaders, together in a team of 150 summit participants, tested their newly-formed skills out on the field by knocking on hundreds of residential doors, persuading residents to lean toward the side of equality and support civil marriage for all Mainers.

The victory in Maine proved once again the immense power grassroots groups, political advocacy organizations and volunteers have when working together for a just cause. Maine joins Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Iowa as the fifth U.S. state to offer the freedom of same-sex marriage. A similar bill in New Hampshire has already passed in the House and Senate, and is awaiting the governor’s signature.