Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Maine, New Hampshire Gay Marriage Vote Coming Up
Following up on the post last week, Maine has become the latest in a string of New England states to legalize gay marriage. Although it was previously unclear whether Maine's governor, John Baldacci, would sign the bill (he opposed gay marriage in the past), in the end it reportedly only took him less than an hour to sign the bill following legislative approval.
Upon signing the bill, Baldacci gave an arguably conflicted statement about the future of gay marriage in the state, per CNN:
"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," said Baldacci, a Democrat.
But he raised the possibility that the residents of the state would overturn the law, saying, "Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people."
At any rate, Maine is now added to the list of Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachussets, of states that have legalized gay marriage. Lawmakers in New Hampshire are actually expected to take up consideration of a bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in that state today. The Boston Globe reports that, much like Maine, it is unclear whether New Hampshire's Democratic governor, John Lynch, would sign the bill if it does come to him. Apparently, that issue has "both supporters and opponents of the bill closely watching Lynch." More developments in New Hampshire should be expected shortly.
- CNN: Maine legalizes same-sex marriage
- Boston Globe: Gay marriage proposals pending in N.H., Maine
- Gay Marriage Soon Legal in All New England? (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)
- Vermont Legalizes Gay Marriage Over Governor's Veto (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)
- Marriage Information (provided by the Law Offices Of Susan L. Ward LLC)
- Same-Sex Couples and the Law (FindLaw)
- Family Law Center (FindLaw)