Maine is 5th State to Sign Gay Marriage Act Into Law

From Breaking News: But first.... YAHOOOOOO MAINE..... WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!


Maine Governor John Baldacci signed a same-sex marriage bill on Wednesday, just hours after the state's Senate approved the bill. The bill, LD 1020, allows gay and lesbian couples to get married in the state.

“I have followed closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully,” Governor Baldacci said. “I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste.”

“I appreciate the tone brought to this debate by both sides of the issue,” Governor Baldacci said. “This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question.”

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

“Article I in the Maine Constitution states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person’s civil rights or be discriminated against.’”

“This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State,” Governor Baldacci said.

“It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

“Even as I sign this important legislation into law, I recognize that this may not be the final word,” Governor Baldacci said. “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.”

“While the good and just people of Maine may determine this issue, my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do,” Governor Baldacci said.

Maine is now the fifth state to allow same-sex marriages.

Washington D.C. Passes Gay Marriage Recognition Bill, Now Waits for Mayor and Congress

Washington D.C. city council passed 12 - 1 legislation that recognizes Gay Marriage preformed in other states. The only dissenting vote was that of former Mayor Marion Barry.

The vote is considered the first step toward eventually allowing gay marriages to be performed in Washington. Congress, which has final say over the city's laws, will get 30 days to review the bill assuming Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty, a supporter, signs it. If Congress takes no action, the bill will become law automatically. President Barack Obama and congressional leaders have not signaled where they stand.

This could be a huge test for our Democratic majority in the Congress.. How will they react and what will happen when this legislation gets to their desks?

David Catania, who is one of 2 openly gay members of the city council, called the issue one of fundamental fairness and said it's about acknowledging that his family is just as valid as anybody else's.

The congressional review could be the new Congress' first opportunity to signal its appetite for re-examining the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allows states to do the same.

I say, way to go D.C., now next step, full rights to marriage for everyone. But, maybe full rights for D.C. first.. Then it won't have to go through Congress.. what a pain in the butt for them and everyone. But at least it is a step in the right direction.

Maine, is next.. and I think I hear a vote in the near future that may be a positive sign.. now Gov. Baldacci better be making up your mind.