These idiots dont stop to think of unintended consequences (aside from the intended consequence of making people feel unwanted). Here, when they passed the “Defense of Marriage Act” with 51% of the vote, I forsaw the legal consequences for unmarried cohabitating couples.

A woman was beaten within an inch of her life, by a man with whom she had lived for 15 yrs. and had 3 children. He was charged with felony domestic violence, but, his attorney noted that they were “not legally married” (common law no longer applies) and, that, her name was not on the deed for the house—-hence, it was HIS “property”! He got off with a misdemeanor and $50 fine.

I’ll bet that those that knew and loved her wished that they had NOT voted for the Defense of Marriage Act—-all of our rights are heavily bound up together. Bigots should take note of this..when one person;s rights are not respected, you can be certain, at some point, yours will not be respected, either.

I believe that common sense always prevails, it just takes more time than one feels necessary. Hard work, and ceaseless effort is what succeeds, a lesson we all should take to heart in our dealings with our local, state and national office holders.

Good Job Maine…  But, I’ll not let myself feel too excited about it unless and until this People’s Veto fails.  Twice Maine passed worker protections for sexual orientation, and the religionists ‘vetoed’ it with referendums.  If they get the 55,000 signatures they need, we may very well see a setback there as we did in California. 

Is there a legal argument for fighting that in court, or will we then have to have the legislature pass it a 2nd and 3rd time before the voters narrowly defeat a repeal as was the case with worker discrimination? 

Let’s all cross our fingers until this fall passes and the new law takes effect.

Take that, (Miss) California,and, Proposition 8!

I just love it, lesbian moms now able to share legal rights and tax breaks like any other couple. It’s long overdue. And gay couples too, although mostly I see same-sex marriage for lesbians insofar as they tend to settle down into relationships earlier than guys, and tend to have custody of their kids. Having said this I understand how important it is for everyone who wants to share a life with another/others to be treated equally.

Am I awful for also gloating that it must be sending homophobes around the bend, frothing at the mouth, shaking in their shoes? Miss California’s probably having nightmares that her lesbian sister will “tie the knot” and she’ll have to choose between family & bigotry.

Good for those states that embrace equality for all, but the federal government still does not recognize same sex marriage and that, unfortunately, is the most important one!

I’m proud to be a New Englander and from the first state to recognize full equality for all of its citizens. And that our legislature rejected the far right extremists attempts at vandalizing our constitution with hate.

Slowly, America becomes what the founders intended. Go New England (and Iowa)!!!

This is great news and it makes me very proud of my state and happy for my glbt friends. We can’t quite celebrate yet, though. Opponents only need 55k signatures to send it to referendum and counter with a people’s veto - much like California did. This struggle is not over in Maine and we need everyone to get to the polls this fall - many who would restrict our friends’ civil rights will be there voting.

Good news indeed!