GLAAD's Jarrett Barrios responds to Maine marriage equality loss

In Maine, voters yesterday eliminated the state’s marriage equality law, which was passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. John Baldacci earlier this year.

“We are disappointed and disheartened by results in Maine, where we saw marriage equality eliminated for loving and committed couples," said Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “It’s wrong to take basic rights and protections away from neighbors, friends and co-workers who just want the same opportunity to care for their loved ones and families. It’s wrong, unfair and, frankly, un-American. Many Mainers voted that responsibility and commitment should continue to be respected and protected, but a slim majority wrested away the basic protections of marriage from couples and their families. Opponents campaigned on fear and misinformation leaving those loving and committed gay and lesbian couples- and our allies- back to square one: forced to lead lives without the needed protections that marriage affords. We must commit to sharing more stories on the truth about our lives and families to ensure the legal protections of marriage for all loving, committed couples.”

HRC responds to Maine marriage equality loss

Today the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, expressed profound sadness and anger at the passage of Question 1 in Maine. Question 1 was a referendum vetoing the state’s law recognizing same-sex marriages. Also in last night’s election results, voters in Washington are headed for approval of Referendum 71, an initiative to approve the state’s domestic partnership law. And in New York’s 23rd Congressional District, voters rejected the anti-gay extremist positions of Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, instead electing Democrat Bill Owens.

“Although we lost our battle in Maine, we will not allow the lies and hate—the foundation on which our opponents built their campaign—to break our spirits. We are on the right side of history and we will continue this fight,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “I am angry. But more importantly, I am determined that with the anger I feel today from this outcome in Maine, we’ll rise ever stronger to demand equal treatment under the law and equal respect for our relationships in Maine, California, New Jersey, and every state of the Union.”

Maine was poised to become the fifth state in the United States to recognize same-sex marriage in May 2009, after the measure was passed by the state Senate and House of Representatives and signed into law by Governor John Baldacci. The issue was placed on the statewide ballot after opponents to marriage equality submitted sufficient signatures for a people’s veto referendum.

"This law did not threaten families; rather it was an historic step that strengthened Maine families. For enacting this law, we owe a debt of gratitude to Maine legislators and Governor Baldacci. And for giving their best to protect it at the ballot, we thank the incredibly talented and dedicated staff and volunteers who brought life to the No on 1 campaign.”

Maine marriage equality referendum down to the wire

Gay City News reports that with one day left, polls are showing pretty much evenly split on the referendum to end marriage equality in Maine.

Check out the full story here.

And find out more at Protect Maine Equality.

Stop Prop. 1 in Maine

The same anti-equality forces that spent millions and spread lies to pass Proposition 8 in California have set their sights on Maine. The National Organization for Marriage, Focus on the Family and the PR firm behind Prop. 8 have gone East to overturn the marriage equality law that passed this spring.

The vote is in less than 60 days and the HRC Maine Marriage PAC needs your contributions to help defend marriage equality in Maine and across the country.

The positive impact of gay marriage

A new research study released by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law shows that by allowing same-sex couples to marry in Maine the state budget will experience a boost of approximately $8 million per year. This net impact will result from an increase in state income and sales tax revenue as well as savings in expenditures on state means-tested public benefit programs.

"Extending marriage rights to same-sex couples will not only provide needed protections to same-sex couples in Maine, but it will also inject new tax revenue and spending into Maine's economy and state budget," explains study co-author Brad Sears, Executive Director of The Williams Institute.


In calculating the net benefit to the State, the study predicts that half of Maine's 4,644 same-sex couples, or 2,316 couples, will marry in the first three years of being able to do so. The study also projects that 15,660 non-resident same-sex couples will come to Maine to marry.

"As recent experiences in other states demonstrate, same-sex couples will travel for the right to marry and Maine is a likely tourist destination for many of those couples," noted co-author M. V. Lee Badgett, Research Director of the Williams Institute and director of the Center for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

"As marriage equality expands in New England, Maine has now ensured that most of its residents will marry at home instead of neighboring Vermont, Connecticut or Massachusetts," added study co-author Christopher Ramos, Researcher at the Williams Institute.

The study finds that same-sex weddings and associated tourism will generate $60 million in spending over three years, providing a boom to the state economy. Furthermore, this spending will generate an increase in sales tax revenue of about $3.1 million over three years. Marriage license fees will generate more than $500,000 for Maine's counties.

The Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy advances law and public policy through rigorous, independent research and scholarship, and disseminates its work through a variety of education programs and media to judges, legislators, lawyers, other policymakers and the public. This study can be accessed at the Williams Institute website, www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute.


Maine becomes 5th state to recognize gay marriage

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following statement after Gov. John Baldacci signed legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples under state law. The state Senate voted 21-14 and the state House of Representatives voted 89-57 to pass the legislation and send it to Gov. Baldacci for signature.

“Just one year ago, a single state allowed same-sex couples to marry. Now, with the historic step taken by Gov. Baldacci and the Maine legislature, five states will provide equal dignity, equal respect, and equal rights under state law for same-sex couples by recognizing their freedom to marry, and we hope more will follow soon,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Congratulations to Gov. John Baldacci, Senator Dennis Damon, and Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree for making sure all loving, committed couples in Maine, and their families, will have equal rights and responsibilities under state law, and congratulations to Equality Maine for the hard work it has done over the years to make today a reality.”

Solmonese continued: “No religious institution will have to recognize any marriage under this law. This law is simply about making sure that loving, committed couples, and their families, receive equal rights and responsibilities. This is a step that will strengthen Maine families.”

The Human Rights Campaign has had a field organizer on the ground in Maine for the past four months working with Equality Maine to build support for the marriage legislation.

In addition to Maine, four states have recognized marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont (effective September 1, 2009).

New York recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction. California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

Legislatures in New Hampshire and New York are also considering legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry under state law.


Maine says 'yes' to gay marriage

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the Maine State House of Representatives for its vote today in favor of legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry under state law. The state House voted 89 to 58 in favor of the measure, which previously passed the State Senate last week.

“The march towards marriage equality for all loving, committed couples continues across this country,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Today, Maine joins the growing list of states who have voted to grant marriage equality to same-sex couples. It’s becoming increasingly clear that legislators across the nation understand that it’s simply the right thing to do. We congratulate Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree for her championing of this legislation and Equality Maine for its great work in building support for equality. We urge Maine Governor John Baldacci to sign this bill into law and unequivocally place Maine on the right side of history.”

The Human Rights Campaign has had a field organizer on the ground in Maine for the past four months working with Equality Maine to build support for the marriage legislation.

Four states have recognized marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont (effective September 1, 2009). Last month, Iowa’s state supreme court unanimously ruled that the state constitution guarantees same-sex couples the equal right to marry. On April 7, Vermont’s legislature overrode Gov. Douglas’ veto, making Vermont the first state to recognize marriage equality through the legislative process. Connecticut also enacted a bill codifying the state supreme court’s October 2008 decision recognizing marriage for same-sex couples.

New York recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction. California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

Legislatures in New Hampshire and New York are also considering legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry under state law. Maine currently provides same-sex couples with access to limited rights and benefits through a domestic partner registry. Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws 


Maine Senate voted today in favor of gay marriage

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised the Maine state Senate for its vote today in favor of legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry under state law. The state Senate voted 20 - 15 in favor of the measure, which now moves to the House of Representatives. The Senate defeated an amendment to the bill that proposed putting the question of marriage equality for same-sex couples before voters.

“It seems like every day another state legislative body is voting in favor of marriage equality, recognizing that all loving, committed couples, and their families, deserve equal rights and responsibilities under the law. It’s increasingly clear that legislators across the nation understand that it’s simply the right thing to do,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We congratulate the bill’s sponsor, Senator Dennis Damon, as well as the other senators who voted in favor of this important legislation, as well as Equality Maine for its great work in building support for equality. We hope that this bill will soon pass the House and be enacted into law.”

The Human Rights Campaign has had a field organizer on the ground in Maine for the past three months working with Equality Maine to build support for the marriage legislation. The House of Representatives is expected to take up the measure within the next two weeks.

Four states have recognized marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont (effective September 1, 2009). Earlier this month, Iowa’s state supreme court unanimously ruled that the state constitution guarantees same-sex couples the equal right to marry. On April 7, Vermont’s legislature overrode Gov. Douglas’ veto, making Vermont the first state to recognize marriage equality through the legislative process. Last week, Connecticut enacted a bill codifying the state supreme court’s October 2008 decision recognizing marriage for same-sex couples.

New York recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction. California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

Legislatures in New Hampshire and New York are also considering legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry under state law. New Hampshire’s state Senate voted yesterday in favor of legislation to recognize marriage for same-sex couples.

Maine currently provides same-sex couples with access to limited rights and benefits through a domestic partner registry.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.


Maine's Joint Committee votes for gay marriage

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, praised Maine’s Joint Committee on Judiciary for its vote on Tuesday in favor of legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry under state law. The committee voted 11-2-1 in favor of the legislation; one committee member voted for the legislation with a proposed amendment that would place the measure before voters if it is enacted into law.

“This is an exciting vote, and it’s great to see strong support for the principle that all loving, committed couples in Maine ought to have the equal right to marry,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We congratulate the committee, as well as Equality Maine for its great work to build support for equality. We hope that this bill will soon pass the Senate and House and be enacted into law. April has been a great month for equality, and we’re thrilled to see Maine take action to become the latest state to move toward recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples.”

The Human Rights Campaign has had a field organizer on the ground in Maine for the past three months working with Equality Maine to build support for the marriage legislation. The full Senate is expected to vote on the marriage bill soon, and the House could take action in May.

A new CBS/New York Times poll released Tuesday shows that support for marriage equality across the country has risen nine points in the last month. The new poll, conducted April 22-26, 2009, shows that 42% of Americans now say that same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry. That number is up nine points from the month earlier when only 33% support marriage equality for same-sex couples. More information on the poll can be read by going here: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/04/27/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4972643.shtml.

Four states have recognized marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont (effective September 1, 2009). Earlier this month, Iowa’s state supreme court unanimously ruled that the state constitution guarantees same-sex couples the equal right to marry. On April 7, Vermont’s legislature overrode Gov. Douglas’ veto, making Vermont the first state to recognize marriage equality through the legislative process. Last week, Connecticut enacted a bill codifying the state supreme court’s October 2008 decision recognizing marriage for same-sex couples.

New York recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction. California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in court; a decision by the state supreme court is expected by June.

Legislatures in New Hampshire and New York are considering legislation that would permit same-sex couples to marry under state law. Maine currently provides same-sex couples with access to limited rights and benefits through a domestic partner registry. Lesbian and gay couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.