Maine Voters Defeat Same-Sex Marriage Law
Conservative Groups Set Sights on Defeating More Pro-Gay Legislation
Nov 5, 2009
With 53% of voters choosing to repeal Maine's marriage law, as of November 4, 2009, only five U.S. states issue same-sex marriage licenses: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Pro same-sex marriage groups are determined to expand the right to marry nationwide while opposition groups insist on marriage being between a man and woman only. For same-sex marriage advocates, the issue is one of civil rights. Chad Griffin, president of the American Foundation of Human Rights, says, "The U.S. Constitution guarantees equal rights to every American, and when those rights are violated, it is the role of our courts to protect us, regardless of what the polls say."
Brian Brown, director of the National Organization for Marriage, celebrated the Maine result, saying, “It’s a crushing blow to those who think same-sex marriage is inevitable,” Brown said. “They were 100% wrong…In a deep blue state, when voters had the chance, they voted to protect marriage for a man and a woman.”
Conservative Groups Laud Maine Defeat
Matthew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, a Florida based Christian legal group, said of the defeat in Maine that it "dramatically illustrates the will of the people, and politicians should wake up and listen."
The call for politicians around the U.S. to listen to voters was seconded by Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council who said, "The American people have affirmed marriage at the ballot box and turned aside the demands of a movement largely driven by Hollywood." He went on to say that he hopes the message sent by Maine voters is heard in state capitals across the U.S.
Despite the success of the conservative campaign against same-sex marriage, Mary Conroy, leader of Stand for Marriage Maine, said the group was aware the fight was not over.
Pro-Gay Response to Repeal of Marriage Law
Same-sex marriage supporters across the nation are disappointed and angered at the Maine defeat but determined to persevere. Supporters believe defeat to be caused by anti-gay advertising meant to scare voters, such as advertising in Maine that said homosexual marriage would be taught in schools. This advertising was false as there is no mention of marriage in Maine's state school curriculum.
"It is infuriating to see that the same fear-mongering ads that were used to pass Prop. 8 a year ago have triumphed again at the expense of so many," said Joe Solmonese of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national gay rights group.
Positive Signs for Same-Sex Marriage
In New Jersey, supporters of the same-sex marriage bill have until the end of January 2010 to get it passed. The defeat of incumbent Democrat Governor Jon Corzine, who will sign the bill if passed, means time is limited as his replacement Republican Chris Christie has vowed not to sign the bill into law.
Washington, D.C. has a bill on the way to City Council that will legalize same-sex marriage. Conservative groups are battling to try and force the issue to popular vote. Michael Crawford, one of the leaders of the same-sex marriage campaign, had this to say about the Maine defeat and the influence on the right to marry in D.C.,"The same cabal of anti-gay groups who stripped away marriage equality from our families in California and Maine now have their sights on D.C.," he said.
In New Hampshire, where the right to same-sex marriage goes into effect on January 1, 2010, conservative groups have filed legislation to try and get the law repealed. The anti-gay groups also want a constitutional amendment to have marriage only between a man and woman. The legislation is not expected to pass.
Current State Status of Same-Sex Couples
Gay marriage has been defeated by popular vote in 31 states. 29 states have made constitutional amendments restricting marriage to one man and one woman. New York and D.C. recognize marriages legally entered into in other jurisdictions.
Five states and D.C. have the equivalent of state level spousal rights - California, D.C., Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. Results are pending on a vote in Washington State to expand the current domestic partnership law to an 'everything but marriage' law.
The Future Fight for Same-Sex Marriage
Some advocates and gay marriage supporters want to galvanize people now and fight for marriage in California in 2010. Other pro gay marriage supporters believe it better to wait until 2012. Regardless of the direction the same-sex marriage fight takes, the battle will be long and hard.
The crux of the matter is summed up by the executive director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, Shenna Bellows, who declared "We are on the right side of history. This is just another beginning."
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