The Great State of Maine has become the fifth state to recognize marriage equality for gays and lesbians! Gov. Jim Baldacci signed the legislation into law today:
“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.”
Hopefully such a thing won’t happen and Maine will remain a state that does not discriminate based on sexual orientation.
New Hampshire is considering a similar bill, and Washington, DC’s council voted to recognize same-sex marriages from other states and countries.
Gays and lesbians can now be legally married in Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine!
All in all, it’s stacking up to be some good progress for marriage equality. Watch for the mass right wing head explosion in 3, 2, …
The founder and Editor Emeritus of Whosoever, Rev. Candace Chellew earned her Masters of Theological studies at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., and trained as a spiritual director through the Omega Point program of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. Her first book, “Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians”, was published by Jossey-Bass in 2008. She currently serves as the Spiritual Director of Jubilee! Circle in Columbia, S.C.