Same-sex marriage petition approved

[Maine-ah]

Source: BDN

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s Secretary of State approved language Wednesday for a citizen’s initiative that would ask Mainers once again if they want to allow same-sex couples to marry.

A coalition of same-sex marriage advocates is set to begin gathering signatures as early as this weekend. If that effort is successful, Maine voters would be asked next November to support or reject: An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom.

“I’m grateful to Secretary of State Summers for promptly approving the language of the proposed law to let same-sex couples marry in Maine,” said Pastor Michael Gray of Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church, one of six original signers of the initiative petition. “As campaign volunteers fan out across the state to collect signatures from their fellow Mainers I expect they will encounter thousands of willing signers who have changed their hearts and minds on marriage after getting to know their gay and lesbian neighbors, co-workers and community members — just as I have done.”

An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom as written would permit gay and lesbian couples to obtain licenses to legally marry in Maine. It would not, however, require churches to perform such marriages in violation of their religious teachings.

Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2011/08/17/politics/same-sex-marriage-petition-approved/

[Amimnoch]

1. Isn't it just great when we get to vote on peoples civil rights?

Perhaps next we should vote on if women should still be allowed to vote?
Or vote for Jim Crowe to come on back?

On the other side of this article, I agree that under freedom of religion, churches/religious organizations should be allowed to decide if they will or will not perform these ceremonies. HOWEVER, there should be no legal civil legitimacy to any ceremonies those that opt NOT to marry same-sex couples granted to anyone that they perform services for. period.

Either they have freedom of religion, and can choose not to, but forfeit the right to legal civil legitimacy, or they perform the ceremonies for all who seek to be married.

NO legal civil legitimacy for Church's who discriminate! People can still have the ceremony in their church, they will still be married in the eyes of their faith, but if they want the civil legal benefits of their marriage, they must be married for those benefits in a place that doesn't discriminate.

[Maine-ah]

2. I'm in full agreement with you, Amimnoch

these are civil rights, and we should not have to vote for something like this.

[Amimnoch]

4. *big hug* thank you, and I love the avatar!

Miss him much!

[uppityperson]

8. Thank you. I don't get it either. Good writing.

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. Voting is probably the best way to do it

Do you think that Maine's current Governor wouldn't veto a marriage equity bill?

[Amimnoch]

14. I understand your point, and even respect it, but..

It is still nothing short of sad that civil rights are something that actually needs to be voted on!

I can not bring myself to have anything more than the slightest of joy, and a high level of disgust that a vote is even needed for this small step forward.. a good step I'll grant.

[No Elephants]

11. Not for nuttin', but men did vote on whether or not women could vote.

Prior to that, the SCOTUS had decided that the Constitution did not grant women equal rights to, say, become lawyers. Hence, states could deny them that right.

In the 1970's, the SCOTUS decided again that laws discriminating against women would not be subjected to strict scrutiny, as are laws discriminating against minorities.

The ERA never get passed, so that 1970's case still stands as the law of the land.

So, yeah, women's rights did get voted on.

[Amimnoch]

15. and it was just as sad then as it is now that Civil rights are something that even can be voted on.

The US prides itself on freedom and inalienable rights.. yet even in this day and age, Civil rights are something that STILL can and/or needs to be voted on to be granted to citizens!

[Fearless]

3. Good for Maine... I hope they pass marriage equality!

[Permanut]

5. Okay, but this could be

the end of civilization as we know it! Oh, wait, maybe that's a good thing.

K&R

[Ohio Joe]

6. Go Maine!

Equal rights for all is civil rights. Do it.

[SoapBox]

7. K & R!

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Marriage equity has been rejected by the voters of every single state that has had a vote, but

it would appear that Maine would be a good candidate to break that trend. Demographics and attitudes may have changed enough in three years for a narrow victory.

[blueclown]

12. Not a fan of putting people's civil rights up for a popular vote.

What if it doesn't pass? Should people be denied their civil rights?

[SpartanDem]

13. If it doesn't pass try again

Women got the vote in 20 states either through their state legislature or through popular vote before passage of the 19th Amendment in 1918. Just as an example Colorado, Montana, California, Oregon, Washington, Kansas and Michigan were some of the states that granted women the right to vote by referendum. Some states like Coloarado in 1893 it passed on the first try, but in Washington and Kansas it mutlipule tries. In Washington the 1889, 1898 votes failed, but the 1910 one passed. So this far from unprecented in American history