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Same sex marriage (SSM) and domestic partnerships

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SSMs & domestic partnerships in Maine

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Summary:

Prior to 2009-MAY, loving, committed same-sex couples in Maine had been only able to obtain some of the rights and privileges of marriage by registering their relationship in the state's domestic partner registry.

On 2009-MAY-06, John Baldacci (D), the governor of Maine, signed into law a bill approving same-sex marriage (SSM) throughout the state. This was the first state to provide SSM purely by legislative action without having been required to do so by a court ruling.

Maine became the fourth New England state to legalize SSM after Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. Including the District of Columbia, Iowa, and New York State, it was the seventh U.S. jurisdiction to legalize SSM. Such marriages were also legal in a another state, California through much of 2008, until new same-sex marriages became unavailable in 2008-NOV due to Proposition 8.

By 2009-SEP-12, same-sex couples were scheduled to be able to obtain marriage licenses in Maine. However, opponents of marriage equality were able to collect more than 55,000 signatures on a petition to stop the process, pending a statewide referendum by voters.

A referendum on SSM was held on election day 2009-NOV-03 to decide the fate of marriage equality in Maine.

The final results were 53% to 47% against marriage equality. The voter turnout was 60% -- high for an off-year election. Strong support was expressed in the costal cities; strong opposition was apparent in the northern rural areas.

Marriage inequality continues in Maine.

On 2012-FEB-24, supporters for marriage equality were informed that they had sufficient signatures on their petition to place a referendum on the 2012-NOV election day ballot.

Whichever way the referendum goes, it is doubtful that the matter will be settled. There will probably be a series of referendums to alternately ban and permit SSM. It may not be settled until one side achieves substantial majority support, or runs out of money or enthusiasm.

Topics covered in this section:

• 2009-MAY-06: : Same-sex marriage legalized by the legislature:
  • Senator Dennis Damon's bill LD 1020 to legalize SSM
    
    
  • Support and opposition to LD 1020
    
    
  • Representative Leslie Fossel's bill LD 1118 to expand domestic partnerships
    
    
  • National support for SSM. Senate committee hearing
    • A testimonial from the public hearing, etc.
      
      
  • Senate & House pass bill; 2009-MAY-06: Governor signs it into law
    
    
• 2009-NOV-04: Same-sex marriage law repealed by referendum (Proposition 1 on election day 2009-NOV)
  
  
  • Attempting to prevent marriage equality
    
    
  • Content of video TV ads by the pro and anti groups
    
    
  • Are the fears generated by these ads valid?
    
    
  • Support and opposition to Proposition1
    • Public opinion poll results
      
      
    • 2009: Mid-AUG to Mid-SEP
      
      
    • Mid-SEP to Mid-OCT
      
      
    • Mid-OCT to election day plus one
      
      
• 2011 - 2012: Attempt to reinstate same-sex marriage by referendum (Proposition on election day 2012-NOV):
  
  
  • 2011-JUN: A new referendum is proposed for 2012-NOV. Estimated support for SSM
    
    
  • 2011-JUL: Reactions to the proposed referendum in 2012-NOV. Referendum wording approved. A story about attending a SSM ceremony in Connecticut.
    
    
  • 2011-AUG to 2012-FEB: Signatures collected for new referendum. Rep. Chellie Pingree addresses Congress
    
    
  • 2012-FEB to now: Signatures collected for new referendum. Webmaster's comments (biased)

References used:

1. "Maine Vote 2009," Bangor Daily News, 2009-NOV-03, at: http://www.bangordailynews.com/

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