States grant more rights to gay couples
When Maine‘s highest court ruled two years ago that lesbians Marilyn Kirby and Ann Courtney could adopt the two children they had cared for since 2001, the man who has led the state battle against gay marriage for 25 years got a glimpse of the defeat now looming.
“There’s a sense people have — a sense of inevitability — and a tremendous sense of frustration because of the history of the gay-rights fight in Maine,” said Michael Heath, executive director of the Maine Family Policy Council.
He was referring to rights incrementally accorded gay couples that have led to virtual equality between same-sex and heterosexual unions in states where gay marriage remains banned, a growing trend in Maine and elsewhere, experts on both sides of the issue agree.
These rights are expanding as legally married gay couples relocate to states that don’t allow gay marriage, forcing courts, legislatures and employers to deal with a new wrinkle on issues of custody, divorce, inheritance and end-of-life decisions.
See States grant more rights to gay couples
Chicago Tribune – United States
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Gay marriage becomes law in Maine
(Augusta, Maine) Gov. John Baldacci signed legislation Wednesday allowing same-sex marriage in Maine, minutes after it received final approval in the legislature.
Maine is the fifth state to allow gay marriage.
Up until he put his pen to the bill ,it was anyone’s guess whether he would sign or veto it. Baldacci had said …
Maine House approves gay marriage
(Augusta, Maine) With a vote of 89-58, the Maine House on Tuesday gave initial approval to legislation allowing same-sex marriage.
The vote spent three hours in impassioned debate on the bill.
It received initial passage in the state Senate on April 30.
The House version and that of the Senate now must be unified …
Maine House to take up gay marriage bill
(Augusta, Maine) Diane Sammer and her partner, Pam Dennis, were careful to sign papers giving Sammer power of attorney over Dennis’ affairs. Yet after Dennis died of a heart attack and her body was to be cremated, the undertaker refused to accept Sammer’s signature.
After some legal wrangling, Sammer signed a …
“People’s veto effort” likely if gay-marriage becomes law in Maine
UGUSTA — Michael Heath of the Maine Family Policy Council announced this week he will work to gather the signatures necessary for a people’s veto of the gay-marriage bill.
A few things need to happen first, but during Senate debate Thursday, many senators said they felt it was inevitable that the question would end up before voters.
The Senate voted Thursday 22-14 in favor of the bill. It will be taken up in the House Tuesday, then come back to the Senate for a final vote.
From there, it goes to Gov. John Baldacci, who has not taken a position on the bill.
Assuming he doesn’t veto it, it would be set to take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. Adjournment is set for June 17, give or take a day or two.
This is where the people’s veto comes in.
Heath and others would have 90 days from the date of adjournment to gather 55,087 signatures.
Julie Flynn, deputy secretary of state, said any group wanting to turn in signatures for a people’s veto would have until Sept. 15 to submit signatures. Her office would then have 30 days to determine whether there are enough valid signatures to call for a public vote.
However, in order to make the November ballot, groups would have to turn in signatures by Sept. 3 or 4, because it must be at least 60 days before the election, she said.
If not, the question wouldn’t go to voters until June.
See
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Maine committee endorses gay marriage bill
(Augusta, Maine) The state Senate Judiciary Committee voted 14-11 Tuesday to bring the equal marriage bill before the full Senate.
Moments before the vote was taken, a woman was removed from the room by State Police after shouting that the bill was immoral. Meanwhile, same-sex marriage advocates delivered more than 10,000 postcards to Gov. John …
Maine’s marriage debate turns deeply religious
(Augusta, Maine) A legislative hearing to extend gay marriage to Maine took on the atmosphere of a religious revival Wednesday as ministers made impassioned speeches for and against the bill before thousands of cheering spectators packed into a civic arena.
Gay couples also took turns pleading for recognition of their partnerships, …
Massive crowd as Maine lawmakers take up gay marriage
(Augusta, Maine) Thousands of people thronged into the Augusta Civic Center as Maine lawmakers began the first public hearings on a bill that would allow equal marriage in the state.
The hearings were to have been held at the State House, but moved to the civic center to accomodate the large …
Gay marriage debate focus now on Maine
The gay marriage debate shifts to Maine as sides for and against line up for a legislative hearing. The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee takes up the proposal Wednesday in a daylong hearing at the Augusta Civic Center. See Gay marriage debate focus now on Maine SunJournal.com
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Large crowds expected as Maine takes up gay marriage bill
(Augusta, Maine) Public hearings begin Wednesday on legislation to allow same-sex marriage in Maine. So many people on both sides of the issue are expected that the hearings will be held at the Augusta Civic Center.
One bill would repeal Maine’s 12-year-old so-called Defense of Marriage law, which bars same-sex marriage, …
