Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Gay Christian and proud of it — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:05:49 GMT

Ohmigod...this just means that more fine christian heterosexual marriages are going to fail. Its not because of abuse or infidelity its those evil gays who make those marriages die.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Quency Reers, NH — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:06:53 GMT

It sure is nice when people we elect make the decisions like this for us. It saves a whole lot of time, us not having to vote on it in all.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Nj — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:13:38 GMT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/06/cantor-tries-fails-to-off_n_197728.html

have you seen this???? Enough with the GOP
Collins and Snowe better get a clue. They need to SWITCH parties as well

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Jackson, Seattle — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:14:01 GMT

And the longer the GOP try to dig in their heels and fight this one, the longer it keeps them from getting their act together and being a viable option again.

GOP, ask yourself, is this the hill you want to die on?

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Joe - STL — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:15:52 GMT

Thank you Maine! One more step towards full equality in America!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

IntheMiddle, TX — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:16:17 GMT

I refer everyone to Genesis Chapter 2. Everything is explained to you. When the lord granted Adam a helper, he made EVE not STEVE. Until someone can show me different, I will stand on this word.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

MSierra, SF — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:16:47 GMT

We're witnessing the 'Death Throes' of the 'Holy Roller' mentality

The old 'Holy roller' mentality that dominated American politics is DYING

'...
Don't stand in the door ways
Don't block up the halls
For he who gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled

the order is rapidly changing....'

The George Wallaces, the Orville Faubuses, the Jesse Helms, the Randall Terrys. the Anita Bryants and the Karl Roves of the world are being left in the dust

GOOD RIDDANCE

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:24:27 GMT

Quite a message being sent to prop 8 opponents in California. Seems like everyday we're hearing about a new state being added to allow Same Sex Marriage.

It is their right. It is not our place to judge. I still hold firm to my principals. I have no right judging others. I am obligated to respect others opinions and decisions they make, regarding their lives as long as it doesn't affect my life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

MSierra, SF — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:26:56 GMT

I remember the 60's

The Civil Rights movement played out on my TV

Later, the Women's movement meant that women could be doctors or lawyers (or anything they wanted)

There were movements for Native American and Latino rights, gowing cultural awareness by Asian Americans and then gay rights

We've been through a series of 'Revolutions' in my boomer lifetime

I remember in 1970, you could walk into a strret car or department store smoking a ciggarrette

Times have changed
Not all for the best, but by and large for the better

Welcome to tommorrow

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

kreed, cheyenne, wy — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:28:00 GMT

I agree, time to do what is correct in all states, being gay is not catching, they don't procreate, they are entitled to all things that straight folks get. I am straight and have been married for 30 years. I just don't understand those that think that gay folks are going to undermine the concept of marriage, they love, laugh, cry and die like all humans, give them the same compassion you would like to receive yourself.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Pete, Middle America! — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:30:21 GMT

AWESOME!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Buzz — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:30:46 GMT

Oh my, this'll stir up the bored-agains.
(BTW- aren't THEY the big followers of the "get governmant out of our lilves" party??

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Ron Indiana — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:31:11 GMT

Another tough day for conservatives in general and specifically Christian Conservatives. Someday we will look back and wonder what was all the fuss about? And there were be a few, mostly living in the South, or pockets in rural America, who will swear the country has gone to hell in a hand-basket. The times, they are a-changin.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Wanda — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:31:16 GMT

they should put this up the vote of the people and not the ones that 'act' as if they represent the interest of all...

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Pablo — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:31:37 GMT

For the most part these pro-gay states are in the Northeast where it's cold and really crowded and, aside from Acadia National Park, an ugly portion of the country. Also some of the most liberal areas of the country. Can you tell. Kennedy and Kerry live here.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

John,California — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:32:45 GMT

thank god at least these people can't pro-create

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Champ, Lumberton, TX — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:33:13 GMT

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Steve, Greenville, South Carolina — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:35:45 GMT

Actually, what's happening in the Northeast isn't so much due to a shift in popular opinion as it is to the fact that Dems control the entire region and have been believing silly news reports. If the GOP was still in control in these states, there would be no gay marriage. This is only going to add to the GOP's ability to win in 2010 and future elections. I don't care what the latest opinion polls have been saying (although most of them still show gay marriage is opposed). The people have spoken over and over again on this issue (most recently in California, Florida and Arizona), yet the Democrats and liberals prefer to point to polls that oversample Dems as 'proof' that support for gay marriage is growing.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Dave Dalton — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:37:25 GMT

This is awesome, no prayer in schools anymore, we've hijacked christmas, young people brainwashed, only woman have a choice, etc... In a few more years, we'll have destroyed America forever!!!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:39:22 GMT

>>>In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. 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.
==========
Great to hear that people can change when presented with a rational, thoughtful presentation of the FACTS.

>>>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," Governor Baldacci said.
==========
GOT THAT, RIGHTIES! NO ONE IS FORCING YOUR RELIGION OR YOUR CHURCH TO RECOGNIZE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE! IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF RELIGION, ITS A QUESTION OF EQUAL RIGHTS! I recongnize it may take you a couple of days to get the above paragraph through your religion-muddled brains. But the gist is that this isn't about you, your church, your religion, or your GOD.

Yes, right-wing bigots and homophobes. The country is moving on without you. You may as well go lock yourselves away with your guns and bibles so you don't catch "THE GAY".

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Chris, Dorr, MI — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:45:02 GMT

Pretty hard to argue against his position. Seems and sounds very reasonable to me.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Dr. F. David Wells, Rindge, NH — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:45:45 GMT

Governor, I believe you have mis-appropriately mis-understood your leadership role for the State of Maine! How dare you "rule" over "non-governmental issues!
I would hope that if you persist, it will cost you your job and brand you for your mis-judgement the rest of your life!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Clara Kansas City, MO — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:45:54 GMT

Pat, Huntington:

And the dominoes fall. Thinking of you today!

Screw Prop Hate, California will end up being last to the table under the stewardship of bassackwards policy. If the church continues to insert itself into politics, tax every last one of 'em.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Jim Parks, Baltimore, MD — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:50:25 GMT

Hooray! That makes 10% of the United States with full marriage equality!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Alex Fernandez, Miami, FL — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:03:43 GMT

Hey we figure out why!!!!

Michelle Obama is a MAN!!!!!

LOL

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Carlton Beal, CA — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:04:16 GMT

Quite a message being sent to prop 8 opponents in California. Seems like everyday we're hearing about a new state being added to allow Same Sex Marriage.

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

You're confused. The message is going from California to the people of Maine. Let the people vote on it rather then have some weak governor change his mind 6 times a day on the issue.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

You can't legislate a sex act. — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:04:25 GMT

Ewwwwww!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Joe - STL — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:07:57 GMT

InTheMiddle:

Too bad the ground you stand on is quicksand! But go ahead and stay there - eventually you'll get sucked down by your own short sightedness.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

But I'm sure they're looking out for the people — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:08:07 GMT

Interesting. Every state where the voters decide (CA, FL), same sex marriage fails. In the states where a bunch of politicians are deciding, same sex marriage passes.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Clara Kansas City, MO — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:09:23 GMT

Steve, Greenville, South Carolina (Sent Wednesday, May 06, 2009 1:35 PM)

Iowa throws a wrench in your crazy talk. But whatever helps you sleep at night.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Buzz — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:10:11 GMT

I refer everyone to Genesis Chapter 2. Everything is explained to you. When the lord granted Adam a helper, he made EVE not STEVE. Until someone can show me different, I will stand on this word.
IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Wednesday, May 06, 2009 1:16 PM)
________________
If that is what you believe, you should indeed stand on that word. Just remember, though- Just because something is YOUR beliefe, that does NOT make it someone else's reality.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Roxanne S — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:11:00 GMT

GOT THAT, RIGHTIES! NO ONE IS FORCING YOUR RELIGION OR YOUR CHURCH TO RECOGNIZE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE! IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF RELIGION, ITS A QUESTION OF EQUAL RIGHTS! I recongnize it may take you a couple of days to get the above paragraph through your religion-muddled brains. But the gist is that this isn't about you, your church, your religion, or your GOD.

------------------------------------------------------
jawillie, calm down and take a moment for your hatred to subside. Obama doesn't support gay marriage, either - are you going to unlease your vitriol on him, too?

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

T Briggs, Augusta, Maine — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:11:02 GMT

Another State gives in too special interest pressure.
This isn't about equal rights, already have them.
It is about relegating traditional moral values to the back water and forcing moral relativism as the new baseline.
God forbid someone disagree they are intolerant and guilty of a hate crime.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Don't understand that one — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:13:18 GMT

I think it's wonderful! It's a shame that I don't see it happening in my state anytime soon. I think all people have the right to be happy and it's none of anyone's business if happiness lies in a same sex marriage or heterosexual marriage.
--------------------------------------------
Champ in Lumberton: so someone in a homosexual relationship can't be happy unless they're married?

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Christine, Maine — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:13:57 GMT

This churchgoing, straight, married mother of two is happy to report that my marriage is still intact! Thank you, Gov. Baldacci, the Maine State Legislature and all the people of Maine who believe in justice for all. EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Jane — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:14:29 GMT

No one cares what heterosexuals are doing within their marriage. They don't monitor their bedroom behavior and get all freaky about it. So what's the big deal about gay marriage? I don't care what other heterosexual couples are doing and I don't care what gay couples are doing. I only care about what I am doing and that's called minding my own business. I think people would do well to remember this is something we teach our kids, to MYOB! So, what we preach, we must also practice. Whatever does not DIRECTLY affect us should be none of our concern.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Holly, Portland, ME — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:18:59 GMT

As a Mainer, I am very proud of my state and my state government. I think the Governor's statement is very reasonable and well-thought-out. Hooray for equal rights!

As a divorcee, I can say, Welcome everyone to your own shot at marital hell. Ain't it grand!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Yes They Did, MA — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:21:34 GMT

Hey Pablo, just because you're homophobic doesn't give you any insight into the pure natural beauty of the northeast. Excluding Boston, it's still picturesque. Congratulations Maine for choosing to uphold the equal rights. Voters should never be allowed to vote on any minorities rights. There's no way to overcome that.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:22:47 GMT

Excellent post jawillie. Thank you for your post late yesterday afternoon. I enjoy your posts as well as from other people.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

BubbaRight — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:24:39 GMT

I think there must be something bad in the water in the New England area.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

KDRL, Beaverton, OR — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:25:07 GMT

Civil rights for minorities should not be decided by the majority. If that were the case, it is questionable that equal rights for minorities in the past would have been won when they were.

For those who rail against this "lifestyle choice", you ask yourself why anyone would struggle so long and so hard for these rights, and deal with discrimination if it were just a choice.

My true belief is that government should drop the word "marriage" entirely. Every partnership - straight or gay - would be recognized under a "civil union". Churches could deal with marriage. And, news-flash - some churches already offer marriage ceremonies for gay unions.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Paul — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:25:09 GMT

Finally! A step towards equality in a country supposedly founded off equality!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Jody, Iowa — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:25:19 GMT

Wow, this has taken off. Seems as if the Iowa Supreme Court ruling started a sudden surge. There were other states first but when Iowa spoke, others listened. Why not, Iowa selected Barack Obama.

To those who comment that voters should choose, I disagree in this instance. Voting to take away rights from one group regardless of your religious views on the subject is just wrong. Constitutional amendments should be used to give rights to groups, not to take away rights. If citizens had been given the oportunity to vote for or against civil rights, I doubt the law would have passed at that time. Sometimes individual rights cannot be achieved through the vote. Republicans frequently emphasize individual rights but often seem unwilling to allow others to have those same rights.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

To each their own — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:28:08 GMT

I refer everyone to Genesis Chapter 2. Everything is explained to you. When the lord granted Adam a helper, he made EVE not STEVE. Until someone can show me different, I will stand on this word.
IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Wednesday, May 06, 2009 1:16 PM)

And so you should. Just please don't expect everyone to stand on the same word you do.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Clara Kansas City, MO — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:29:01 GMT

IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Wednesday, May 06, 2009 1:16 PM)

And, in keeping with the good book, you will let G-d do the judging? lest you be judged? and Pull the splinter out of your own eye? And cast out adulterers? More cherry picking from the zealots. whatever.

I guess I hope that if you have a heart attack, Dr. 'Steve' isn't the on-call doctor who finds out what a sanctimonius pr!ck you are and makes a mistake or something during your emergency balloon angio. metaphorically speaking, of course. what a bigot.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Anna, Skowhegan, Maine — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:34:54 GMT

This is awesome. Now my partner can have access to health insurance and a free gym membership, just like all the other spouses of my co-workers. I finally get the same benefits that I deserve!!!

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Jilli, Houston, TX — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:35:15 GMT

I refer everyone to Genesis Chapter 2. Everything is explained to you. When the lord granted Adam a helper, he made EVE not STEVE. Until someone can show me different, I will stand on this word.
IntheMiddle, TX (Sent Wednesday, May 06, 2009 1:16 PM)

--

God doesn't run my government - the president, legislators and voters do. Keep your god where he belongs - out of the government.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

tom — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:36:27 GMT

the gay movement is a bunch of fascist brown-shirted little thugs using the courts and the democRAT party to impose their version of gay sharia law..

this will result in the suppression of religious liberty all for the selfishness of gays. but the gay nazis can't abide for anyone to have a different opinion.

I find it quite telling that congress included pedophilia in 'hate crime' laws...no surprise..

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Dan — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:36:51 GMT

I could give a crap if gays marry or not. What I do appreciate is that FINALLY, FINALLY state legislatures are actually getting off their butts and doing their jobs.

If states want this, more power to them. If states don't want this, more power to them.

Abortion, school vouchers etc...all should be decided at the state level.

NO MORE JUDICIAL ACTIVISM.

Maine, fifth state to allow gay marriage

Drew, Maui, Hawaii — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:36:52 GMT

I see, Quency Reers, NH -- you think that you as a voter, should be able to decide who gets the same rights/responsibilities under the law as you do? How dare you.

Last time I checked, the USof A was a republic, where all of us were allowed the same rights. The majority doesn't get to decide whether I can have my marriage recognized by the State! We are ALL part of the State.