Comments on: Maine Moves Gay Marriage Bill Forward

By: Captain Freedom

Captain Freedom — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:15:44 +0000

How dare you Bruno! This isn’t a time to be pessimistic! If Maine’s legislature legalizes marriage equality it would be WAY DIFFERENT from California.

First off, the electorate has noticeably shifted since November. In Plymouth ME, a hearing for same-sex marriage turned out far many more supporters than opponents. The supporters are energized and ready.

In 2005, 55% of Mainers turned down a “peoples veto” to take away gay rights in other fields.

Not to mention Maine is a small state and one that we could much better run a campaign in. We learned a lot of lessons from Prop 8.

YES WE CAN!

By: sparkle obama

sparkle obama — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:14:49 +0000

@ChristopherM:

i didn’t like his attitude.

By: Jon from Maine

Jon from Maine — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:07:05 +0000

I live in Maine and my partner of 30 yrs and I would love to have the same legal rights as other married couples. If this does not pass I am refusing to pay taxes until I am treated equally…Jon

By: Bruno

Bruno — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:40:13 +0000

@Alec:

Yes, and the upshot is, there WILL be an attempt at a People’s Veto, they WILL get enough signatures for such, and in all likelihood the people could vote against gay marriage by a small margin. Just like with prop 8.

By: Alec

Alec — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:35:56 +0000

@Steve: I’d like to believe that, but Maine has a decidedly mixed record on gay rights. They rejected employment discrimination protection twice before approving it in 2005.

Things may have changed, and I’m happy to be proven wrong. But Proposition 8 polled poorly in the early days, keep in mind.

By: ChristopherM

ChristopherM — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:07:05 +0000

Seriously Queerty, is anyone going to address the exit of Japhy?

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:02:35 +0000

The polling data from Maine shows that a successful “peoples veto” is not likely to succeed. The population is now evenly split, and has been moving toward supporting equal marriage rights. http://pressherald.mainetoday......?id=252291

I expect Maine will pass the marriage equality statute, by a wide enough margin that a veto wouldn’t matter. Then the Governor will sign it, knowing that he will lose support if he doesn’t.

By: Bruno

Bruno — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:03:45 +0000

@Cam:

I think this could end up being a long process. It does look like the legislature might sail the bill through, and then the governor’s possible veto is a question. But surely there will be a “People’s veto” if the bill passes…I just don’t know if that means they’ll hold off on implementing the bill’s legality until that’s settled or not.

People’s veto info: http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/in.....s_in_Maine

Note how many times they’ve already voted on gay rights, with mixed results.

Keep in mind this is *NOT* like prop 8. It could only veto a law, not amend the constitution of Maine.

By: Cam

Cam — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:40:10 +0000

Hmm, It looks like I’m going to have to figure out a way to spend some money in Iowa and Maine. :)