Gov. Baldacci Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill

[CatWoman]

Barring a challenge from Maine’s same-sex marriage opponents, Maine is the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage; the second to do so via the legislative process; and the first to do so without an overridden veto.

In signing the law, Governor John Baldacci said “in the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Baldacci said in a written statement. “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.”

What Governor Baldacci’s signature may do is put even more pressure on his neighbor Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire to sign their bill once it reaches his desk. Currently, the only state in the New England which does not have either same-sex marriage or civil unions is Rhode Island. However, several bills are before the Rhode Island legislature which would legalize either of those two options. New York and New Jersey are also considering their own same-sex marriage bills.

:applause:

http://lezgetreal.com/?p=12196

[IntravenousDemilo]

1. Wow, prejudice seems to be falling like ninepins lately!

I expected, from past practice, for it to go: State A, then a few years later, State B, then a few years later, State C, and so on -- one at a time, with a lot of space in-between.

Have we reached the tipping point? I hope so.

[gratuitous]

2. Outstanding

I was following the story, and there was some opinion out there that Gov. Baldacci was going to have a Hamlet moment: To sign, or not to sign? Knowing, as we all do, the penchant of elected officials for the spotlight and public speculation, I was tempted to write Gov. Baldacci to ask him not to dither. If he was going to sign the bill into law, just sign it. It would be a far more eloquent statement to sign it without fanfare or delay, as if he was signing a highway appropriations bill or a resolution honoring Mother's Day.

And so he did, apparently. I say again, "Outstanding."

[Ocracoker16]

3. Great news!

I hope New Hampshire and other states will follow suit.

[BurtWorm]

4. Is Maine the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage by legislation

rather than adjudication? Does anyone know?



:applause:

Good for Maine. Ayuh.