Democratic Governor John Baldacci just signed into law a bill allowing gay marriage, making Maine the fifth state to allow same-sex marriage. His signature came barely an hour after the measure won final approval in the state Legislature, with a final 31-8 vote in favor in the Maine Senate.
Baldacci said, that while he has opposed gay marriage in the past:
“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. 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. It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government."
Thank you Maine, and thank you Governor Baldacci for realizing that all Americans should be treated equally.
We need WA to make the final step and bookend the country.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, FP. Get workin'on that, will you? =)
ReplyDeleteWow, his comments are so LOGICAL and FAIR. How did he get to be a politician??? Good for him!!!
ReplyDeletesuch great news
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long life. I am so proud today. I am just floating around here sobbing my ass off. Can't get it out of my head.
ReplyDeleteIt's too late for me and my long term partner, but others won't have to live the life we led.