New civil union bill proposed in Maine

Posted on January 23, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized

An Alna Republican wants to find common ground in the debate about gay marriage by extending more rights to gay and lesbian couples without calling it “marriage.”

Rep. Les Fossel — whose district includes Pittston and Dresden — said Monday he submitted a measure to the Legislature’s bill-writing office that would expand legal rights and benefits to gay or lesbian couples under the state’s existing domestic-partner registry.

“If you look back at the history of equal rights — blacks, women or any group — there’s a whole bunch of people who fight about names, and there are people who change laws,” he said. “The point here is, let’s change the laws.”

Fossel said he decided to put the measure forward after last week’s announcement that Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton, would sponsor a gay-marriage bill that aims to change Maine’s definition of marriage so it’s a recognized union between two people.

See New civil union bill proposed
Central Maine Morning Sentinel –