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Written by WiG
Jan 26, 2012
Petitions are signed for a citizen's initiative on marriage in Maine.
Advocates for legalizing same-sex couples marriage in Maine have announced plans for a citizens initiative. Petitions containing more than 105,000 signatures from voters who want the issue on the November ballot were delivered to the secretary of state’s office on Jan. 26.
Statewide polling shows steadily increasing support for allowing same-sex couples to marry in Maine. The latest survey found 54 percent support marriage equality in the state.
“The number of signatures we gathered and the thoughtful conversations we’ve been having with voters tell us that Mainers are eager to speak on this question again,” said Betsy Smith of EqualityMaine, a statewide LGBT civil rights group.
“Many Mainers have changed their minds and want a chance to bring equality and fairness to our state,” she added.
“I grew up in Maine and always considered myself a conservative guy, but I have taken a journey toward supporting marriage for gays and lesbians,” said the Rev. Michael Gray, a pastor with the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church. He was an early signer of the petition. “I really struggled with the issue of same-sex marriage, but through study, prayer, and patience, I can gratefully say that my faith now informs me differently.”
The title of the proposed initiative is “An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom.” The proposed ballot question wording submitted to the Secretary of State in June of last year reads, “Do you favor a law allowing marriage licenses for same-sex couples, and that protects religious freedom by ensuring that no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs?”
“Like hundreds of other volunteers who spent the last few months gathering signatures for this initiative, I have seen first-hand how talking to Mainers about same-sex marriage is helping people to reconsider their views,” said Lucie Bauer, a volunteer from West Rockport who lives with her partner of nearly 20 years. “By talking to our neighbors about why marriage matters to loving couples like the two of us, we have the power to change hearts and minds.”
Equality Maine is part of a coalition campaigning for the initiative. Other members include Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, the Maine Women’s Lobby and Engage Maine.
“Loving, committed couples in Maine want to marry for the same reason that their friends and neighbors do: To build and share a life with the person they love,” said Lee Swislow of GLAD, which was instrumental in securing marriage rights for gays and lesbians in neighboring states. “All Maine families deserve the security and legal protections of marriage that help make this possible, and a majority of Maine voters now realize this.”
In 2009, Maine was the first state to pass marriage through the legislature and have it signed by the governor. But opponents put marriage out to a people’s veto and just 16,500 voters blocked the freedom to marry for all Maine families.
