Maine Gay Marriage: Proponents Gather More Than Enough Signatures For Referendum

By Jason McLure

Proponents of same-sex marriage in Maine have gathered more than enough signatures to ask voters in a November referendum to approve gay marriages just three years after they banned them.

As the tide of acceptance swells nationwide, gay marriage advocates in Maine gathered more than 85,000 signatures, far more than the requisite 57,277 signatures, Secretary of State Charles Summers said on Thursday.

Opponents have 10 days to challenge the signatures.

Maine's legislature passed a law legalizing same-sex marriage in 2009 but it was overturned that same year in a statewide referendum, 53 percent to 47 percent. Supporters say polls show they would now win a statewide vote by as much as 10 percent.

"It's going to be challenging," David Farmer, a spokesman with Equality Maine, a gay rights group, told Reuters on Friday.

"We've been working hard since 2009. We've spoken to 40,000 people one-on-one to change their minds and we believe those efforts will pay off," Farmer said.

Opponents of the measure say they are not surprised the measure will come to a vote again given how close the results were in 2009. No U.S. state has ever approved same-sex marriage in a referendum.

"It is unfortunate that citizens will be subjected to this divisive issue again," Bishop Richard Malone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said in a statement.

After recent victories for same-sex marriage proponents in Washington, California and Maryland, Maine will be one of a number of battleground states for national groups supporting and opposing same-sex marriage this year. North Carolina and Minnesota voters will consider constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage this year.

Earlier this year Washington's legislature legalized same-sex marriage effective June 7. Maryland's legislature gave final approval on Thursday to a bill doing the same, and Governor Martin O'Malley has vowed to sign it so it can take effect in January.

Same-sex couples can currently marry in the District of Columbia, New York, Iowa and four New England states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire.

(Editing by Paul Thomasch and Bill Trott)

Copyright 2012 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

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Comments

[ncman713]

04:02 PM on 02/28/2012

“"I believe that marriage is between a man and woman and I am not in favor of gay marriage"

Barack Obama

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598409/barack-obama-answers-your-questions.jhtml”
Favorite (0) Flag as Abusive

[rockysparks]

11:38 AM on 02/27/2012

The photo illustrating this article is an argument in favor of lesbian brides wearing pants suits ...

[LeftRight]

11:50 PM on 02/25/2012

"It is unfortunate that citizens will be subjected to this divisive issue again,"Bishop Richard Malone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said in a statement.

Yes, it IS unfortunate that people will again have the authority to vote on the rights of others. Perhaps the next group having their rights voted on will be Catholics...

[TommyObama]

02:43 PM on 02/27/2012

It's only "unfortunate" now that he knows he's on the losing side. Make us proud, Mainiacs! You too, Jersey.

[PrairieGayCompanion]

04:34 PM on 02/25/2012

The RCC leaders are being given too much voice in our society, particularly when 85% of their own adherents don't listen to them.

[PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS]

01:45 PM on 02/25/2012

"It is unfortunate that citizens will be subjected to this divisive issue again,"Bishop Richard Malone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said in a statement.

Interesting Bishop, I find it a lot more "unfortunate" that tens of thousands of little boys were raped by Catholic priests. Instead of focusing on those tortured souls, the church has been waging a war against Gay marriage and rights.................

[TommyObama]

02:45 PM on 02/27/2012

There goes another Bishop opposing man-on-man monogamy, while ignoring his own side of the street.

[LongBeachHawkeye]

11:39 AM on 02/25/2012

Lead the way, Maine! Be the first state in the nation whose voters approve marriage equality in a popular vote (not that the rights of a minority should ever be subjected to the whims of the majority)!

[BooBoo Bob]

11:20 AM on 02/25/2012

Go, MAINE! I know you're a little backwards, but you can do it! (I lived there most of my life. I'm allowed. ;0-) )

[rmurrayatlanta]

04:36 AM on 02/25/2012

If you really want to protect the sanctity of marriage, make divorce illegal.

[LemonMeringue]

08:30 PM on 02/25/2012

It's adultery that desanctifies marriage - not marriage between gays.

[LemonMeringue]

08:31 PM on 02/25/2012

No church that banned divorce could get any members. Even the Mormon church, after two people are sealed in the Temple for all eternity, allow divorce, and you can turn right around and get sealed for all eternity to a different person. All you have to do is send off to Salt Lake City for a "cancellation of sealing". It takes a couple of weeks.

[CognitoErgoSum]

03:00 AM on 02/25/2012

Well, if people's civil rights are to end up going before a majority vote, may I remind people that it's the PROPONENTS of same sex marriage who are taking the initiative and gathered MORE than the signatures needed to put it on the ballot. That's a refreshing change.

[UF6]

03:06 AM on 02/25/2012

When is Maine going to the right thing and rejoin Massachusetts, again?

[Cunningham]

02:12 PM on 02/25/2012

It's not the right thing and the answer is "never".

[UF6]

02:48 AM on 02/25/2012

We also need to ban all forms or marriage and steals all their benefits away either civil or religious. Then outlaw religion.

[UF6]

02:46 AM on 02/25/2012

That referendum should be about reuniting Massachusetts Jr. with it's older half.

[Emily Leavitt]

11:54 PM on 02/24/2012

I can't wait! I voted in favor of it last time and I will happily vote in favor of it again. Granted there shouldn't even be a vote they should just cut the BS and legalize it everywhere. but no matter how it happens I still want all my LGBT fellow human beings to have the same rights and opportunities as anyone else. May they experience all the happiness and love the rest of us do :) That being said I wouldn't put it past Le Page to veto it the second he gets his slimy, conservative, anti union mitts on it. Not trying to be a debbie-downer just being realistic here.

[llisa]

11:09 PM on 02/24/2012

" "It is unfortunate that citizens will be subjected to this divisive issue again," Bishop Richard Malone of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said in a statement."

No kidding. Because no one should have to vote on another's civil rights. How about if we get religion entirely out of government and allow people to marry whom they love.

[Atwill]

09:32 PM on 02/24/2012

It is wrong to vote on a civil right. They should be automatic.

[UF6]

02:53 AM on 02/25/2012

I don't see a system of foolishness that heterosexuals and homosexuals like to partake in the most dubious means of "union" that they must get recognized by government.

[Ioan Lightoller]

03:48 AM on 02/25/2012

Then don't marry anyone. Yes, it is that simple.

[LeftRight]

11:53 PM on 02/25/2012

Here's the deal though. Married people are more stable than single or cohabitating people. That's why a married 18 year old man will pay less for his car insurance than a single 30 year old man. As such, it's good for society, and thus good for the government.

[Mindy Czech]

09:20 PM on 02/24/2012

When do I get the chance to vote on two heterosexuals who want to get married?

[Atwill]

09:33 PM on 02/24/2012

wouldn't you love it? id' vote no on every single straight bible thumpping couple. hysterical.

[UF6]

02:55 AM on 02/25/2012

Not really. But I would take the children from such a couple and place them under teh care of the state, for all couples actually.

[rmurrayatlanta]

04:35 AM on 02/25/2012

Well, as a gay person your rights are limited, therefore you will not be able to vote on this issue. Doesnt that sound like... your black, you cannot vote on the issue of slavery. how silly we think that is today, in a few years we will think the same thing about this issue. Gay people should have the same right as anyone to marry, I mean look at Newt, a man married 3 times and cheated on each one. If you really want to protect the sanctity of marriage make divorce illegal

[Mindy Czech]

04:57 AM on 02/25/2012

There was just a documentary on HBO called "The Loving Story" about the couple who were arrested for the crime of interracial marriage, and it really puts the whole thing in perspective. What they did to them is what they're doing to us, and I hope you're right that in a few years, people will look back and say "seriously, there was a time when gays couldn't marry? How stupid!"

Seriously though, I just want my one marriage to my wife Cindy to hold the same clout as Newt's third or Larry King's eigth. That'll be the wayl.