(CNN) -- Same-sex marriage became legal in Maine on Wednesday as Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill less than an hour after the state legislature approved it.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill Wednesday legalizing same-sex marriage.
"I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage," said Baldacci, a Democrat.
But he raised the possibility that the residents of the state would overturn the law, saying, "Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people."
Three other states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa -- allow same-sex marriages. Vermont has passed a law making gay and lesbian marriages legal that takes effect in September. New Hampshire lawmakers are close to passing a similar bill.
On Tuesday, the Washington City Council voted to recognize same-sex marriages from states that allow those unions. Mayor Adrian Fenty has indicated that he will sign the measure. It will become law if Congress fails to overturn the measure during a 30-day review period.
A slim majority of Americans are against legal recognition for same-sex marriage, CNN polling found last month.
Fifty-four percent of adults questioned in an April 23-26 nationwide CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll said that marriages between gay or lesbian couples should not be recognized as valid, while 44 percent said they should be considered legal.
The survey's sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Originally posted by: andy9o
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITI...ex.marriage/index.html
(CNN) -- Same-sex marriage became legal in Maine on Wednesday as Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill less than an hour after the state legislature approved it.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill Wednesday legalizing same-sex marriage.
"I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage," said Baldacci, a Democrat.
But he raised the possibility that the residents of the state would overturn the law, saying, "Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people."
Three other states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa -- allow same-sex marriages. Vermont has passed a law making gay and lesbian marriages legal that takes effect in September. New Hampshire lawmakers are close to passing a similar bill.
On Tuesday, the Washington City Council voted to recognize same-sex marriages from states that allow those unions. Mayor Adrian Fenty has indicated that he will sign the measure. It will become law if Congress fails to overturn the measure during a 30-day review period.
A slim majority of Americans are against legal recognition for same-sex marriage, CNN polling found last month.
Fifty-four percent of adults questioned in an April 23-26 nationwide CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll said that marriages between gay or lesbian couples should not be recognized as valid, while 44 percent said they should be considered legal.
The survey's sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
I agree with the governor, that separation cannot be legal. Even among the "liberal" parties politicians, not many get this.
Originally posted by: Mackie2k
Originally posted by: andy9o
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITI...ex.marriage/index.html
(CNN) -- Same-sex marriage became legal in Maine on Wednesday as Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill less than an hour after the state legislature approved it.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill Wednesday legalizing same-sex marriage.
"I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage," said Baldacci, a Democrat.
But he raised the possibility that the residents of the state would overturn the law, saying, "Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people."
Three other states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa -- allow same-sex marriages. Vermont has passed a law making gay and lesbian marriages legal that takes effect in September. New Hampshire lawmakers are close to passing a similar bill.
On Tuesday, the Washington City Council voted to recognize same-sex marriages from states that allow those unions. Mayor Adrian Fenty has indicated that he will sign the measure. It will become law if Congress fails to overturn the measure during a 30-day review period.
A slim majority of Americans are against legal recognition for same-sex marriage, CNN polling found last month.
Fifty-four percent of adults questioned in an April 23-26 nationwide CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll said that marriages between gay or lesbian couples should not be recognized as valid, while 44 percent said they should be considered legal.
The survey's sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.
I agree with the governor, that separation cannot be legal. Even among the "liberal" parties politicians, not many get this.
Depends on your definition of marriage. I see it as between a man and a woman....
But I see being "gay" as a genetic disorder. You are born that way, and it's something that is phsically wrong with you, not a choice by anymeans. Doesn't mean we should support that way of life as normal.
Originally posted by: Mackie2k
Depends on your definition of marriage. I see it as between a man and a woman....
But I see being "gay" as a genetic disorder. You are born that way, and it's something that is phsically wrong with you, not a choice by anymeans. Doesn't mean we should support that way of life as normal.
Originally posted by: n yusef
Originally posted by: Mackie2k
Originally posted by: andy9o
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITI...ex.marriage/index.html
I agree with the governor, that separation cannot be legal. Even among the "liberal" parties politicians, not many get this.
Depends on your definition of marriage. I see it as between a man and a woman....
But I see being "gay" as a genetic disorder. You are born that way, and it's something that is phsically wrong with you, not a choice by anymeans. Doesn't mean we should support that way of life as normal.
Good thing your definition of marriage doesn't matter, and your view of homosexuality is irrelevant.
Originally posted by: andy9o
Originally posted by: n yusef
Originally posted by: Mackie2k
Originally posted by: andy9o
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITI...ex.marriage/index.html
I agree with the governor, that separation cannot be legal. Even among the "liberal" parties politicians, not many get this.
Depends on your definition of marriage. I see it as between a man and a woman....
But I see being "gay" as a genetic disorder. You are born that way, and it's something that is phsically wrong with you, not a choice by anymeans. Doesn't mean we should support that way of life as normal.
Good thing your definition of marriage doesn't matter, and your view of homosexuality is irrelevant.
So, you agree with most that homosexuality is not a choice, but, think they should be second-class citizens? I guess I'm a little confused as to what you would have them do then? Sit at the back of the bus?
Originally posted by: sactoking
I saw recently (no link right now) that the District of Columbia was going to recognize SS marriage from the states. Don't remember if they were legalizing the procedure in the District though.
Originally posted by: Mackie2k
Depends on your definition of marriage. I see it as between a man and a woman....
But I see being "gay" as a genetic disorder. You are born that way, and it's something that is phsically wrong with you, not a choice by anymeans. Doesn't mean we should support that way of life as normal.
Originally posted by: jonks
Some buy sheets and cut holes in them.
Originally posted by: Mursilis
Originally posted by: jonks
Some buy sheets and cut holes in them.
Hey, it was an easy costume and I wanted free candy! So sue me!!
The council first voted unanimously and without debate to approve the bill, but Marion Barry, a council member and former mayor, said he misunderstood the measure and requested another vote. He then voted against it.He called it an "agonizing and difficult decision," according to The Associated Press, and one that he arrived at after consulting ministers. A call to Mr. Barry?s office for comment was not immediately returned.
According to The Washington Post, he later told reporters: ?All hell is going to break lose. We may have a civil war. The black community is just adament against this.?
Originally posted by: Mackie2k
But I see being "gay" as a genetic disorder. You are born that way, and it's something that is phsically wrong with you, not a choice by anymeans.
Doesn't mean we should support that way of life as normal.
Originally posted by: jman19
:thumbsup: for civil rights
Originally posted by: Harvey
No one is demanding that you should join "their way of life," but you're in no position to impose your choices on them or penalize them for theirs, either. If you support the Constitution, you should support allowing others their own peaceful choices about the way they live their lives.
Originally posted by: BoberFett
Listening to the morning show on the way to work this morning they were discussing the gay marriage vote by the city council in Washington. This bit is hilarious:
The council first voted unanimously and without debate to approve the bill, but Marion Barry, a council member and former mayor, said he misunderstood the measure and requested another vote. He then voted against it.He called it an "agonizing and difficult decision," according to The Associated Press, and one that he arrived at after consulting ministers. A call to Mr. Barry?s office for comment was not immediately returned.
According to The Washington Post, he later told reporters: ?All hell is going to break lose. We may have a civil war. The black community is just adament against this.?
Good old Marion Berry. I wonder if comedy writers contribute to his campaign fund just to keep him around.
Originally posted by: BoberFett
Originally posted by: Harvey
No one is demanding that you should join "their way of life," but you're in no position to impose your choices on them or penalize them for theirs, either. If you support the Constitution, you should support allowing others their own peaceful choices about the way they live their lives.
Unless they choose to smoke, eh?
Originally posted by: Ackmed
Marriage is a man and a woman. Anything else is wrong. Simple as that.
Originally posted by: Harvey
Originally posted by: BoberFett
Originally posted by: Harvey
No one is demanding that you should join "their way of life," but you're in no position to impose your choices on them or penalize them for theirs, either. If you support the Constitution, you should support allowing others their own peaceful choices about the way they live their lives.
Unless they choose to smoke, eh?
Irrelevant, non-sequiter bullshit. What smokers do to themselves in their own space is tragic, but it's their own self-destructive tragedy. When they smoke in public, they pollute the public environment with carcinogens and other toxins.
Are you afraid of catching "teh gay" from them simply because they're in public... or are you lamenting that it already happened to you? :Q :laugh:
Marriage is between a white man and a white woman. Anything else is wrong. Simple as that.Originally posted by: Ackmed
Marriage is a man and a woman. Anything else is wrong. Simple as that.