Gay marriage ban trailing in Maine
Voters in Maine are deciding whether to officially ban gay marriage and early returns show the effort falling short.
With just 5 percent of the precincts reporting, according to the Bangor Daily News, nearly 55 percent of voters have said “no” to banning gay marriage.
Lawmakers in Maine earlier this year approved legislation allowing gay marriage, but the law never went into effect as opponents petitioned to have the issue decided on the ballot today.
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46 comments Add your comment
Allen
November 3rd, 2009
9:18 pm
Good. A great day for human rights.
Name (required)
November 3rd, 2009
9:23 pm
I don’t get it. Why do heteros care so much about what others are doing? If you don’t like gay marriage……don’t have one.
Steve
November 3rd, 2009
9:29 pm
Slowly but surely this country is dragging itself into the 21st century. This is great news.
Peach
November 3rd, 2009
9:29 pm
Don’t worry I am sure the homosexuals have a military of lawyers ready to seek some liberal judge to overturn the vote of the people.
Hetero
November 3rd, 2009
9:31 pm
You stole our word – marriage, and we want it back!
HK
November 3rd, 2009
9:31 pm
yeah why do so many people get their panties in a twist if two guys or two girls want to put rings on each others fingers and say “I love you”
Sarah
November 3rd, 2009
9:32 pm
To all you people who voted “Yes”… What Are You Afraid Of?
Hitler did not define anyone who was Jewish as “Human”, but would you call this idea of his “right”?
If not, don’t give me the “definition of marriage” BS line…
Tom
November 3rd, 2009
9:33 pm
If this passs can I marry my sister? Or can only gays and straights have the right to marry?
Tom
George
November 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
The most important issue in this debate is the educational effect of the law. Legalization of same-sex marriage has to do with a lot more than what consenting adults want to do. It will dictate what is taught as normal behavior in schools, etc. It will be a devastating blow to our culture if such “marriage,” and ultimately polygamy, etc. (the inevitable corollary), is taught as normal. It has been recognized at least since Aristotle that the law has an educational effect. It is a perfectly proper purpose for law to state and protect social moral standards. Without that, we face anarchy.
It is a myth to think that legalization of same-sex marriage will stabilize homosexual relationships. All it will do is destroy the meaningfulness of marriage for everyone.
Any Cub Reporter Knows Better Than This
November 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
Umm, and why exactly is the Georgia Political Insider reporting on a Maine
race, regardless of outcome? Isn’t there a national politics section?
And if this the Jim Galloway’s blog, why is Aaron Gould Sheinin doing the writing?
That’s some more first-class reportage there, AJC.
Think about the next step
November 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Most people don’t care what other people do with their lives. However, once the state begins sanctioning unions beyond traditinal marriage, where does it stop? How can you deny polygamists (consenting adults) the same protection and sanction with all the rights if the state sanctions gay marriage? There is a greater historical and cultural precedent for polygamy than for gay marriage. Since these sanctioned unions bring with them inheritance rights, health care benefits, tax benefits (and costs) who are you to deny any two (or more) people who have a “committed” realtionship from uniting to acquire these benefits?
Name
November 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
What others are doing effects everyone, that is why.
mdawg
November 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
it is time that gays have equal rights… and i find it funny when a religious foe will say that they are threatened by gay marriage.. i ask of them this, how?
Jim Galloway
November 3rd, 2009
9:46 pm
Hey, ACRKBTT: The Political Insider regularly, as in daily, includes political news from around the country. And earlier we posted on the blog that Galloway would be handing the blog over to me at 7:30 so he could focus on a story for the printed newspaper for tomorrow. Sorry you don’t approve. — Aaron Gould Sheinin
Lulu
November 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
What a sad day for morality. And this has nothing to do with human rights.
Pete
November 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Civil Unions yes, Gay marriage no
Vinny
November 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
The definition of marriage is the union between a man and woman. You bleeding heart libs may try to change the definition, but it doesn’t make it right.
lessthan50percent
November 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Straights haven’t made a good job of keeping marriage sacred, especially when over 60% of marriages end in divorce… why not give the gays a chance… can’t do worse than the straights..
Sarah
November 3rd, 2009
9:51 pm
Haha George. Funny.
Michael
November 3rd, 2009
9:51 pm
Polygamists should absolutely have the right to marriage. I do believe the requirements to enter into that kind of marriage should be more stringent, however. No one under 18 (even with parental consent) should be allowed into a polygamous marriage. And there should be a kind of will drawn up at the start of such a marriage so that there will be no questions regarding (future) property or children in the event of a divorce.
mark
November 3rd, 2009
9:53 pm
don’t know what is the big deal about gay marriage. C’mon, let them get married and be happy. If you don’t like gays or you think you “can be converted” in one, then stay away from then. I know a lot of gay people and they are good decent people. Never felt harrased by them or intimidated. So, if you feel they are coming on to you, it might be because you are one of them. Get out of the closet and be happy like them.
LOL
November 3rd, 2009
9:54 pm
Comments by these hillbillies would be hilarious but for their pervasiveness.
Shukri
November 3rd, 2009
9:54 pm
I find it completely disgusting that gays are trying to force their sex act onto Americans. I pray that this referendum will be won and that our families and societies will be preserved..
David
November 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Yes Tom… You can marry your sister just like your father apparently did. Your family tradition is alive and well.
Anthony
November 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Yes, what a sad day for morality in the United States. How sad it is that we sit in judgment of one another when Jesus said, “Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.” Yes, what a sad day in morality it is when even one person in a free country would vote against the love and happiness of others. Yes, what a sad day it is for America. “Do unto others as you would have done to you…”
sugarapple
November 3rd, 2009
9:56 pm
God will judge the United States of America. Remember he destroyed Sodom
AJ
November 3rd, 2009
9:57 pm
When is this country going to stop allowing the majority to decide the rights of a minority. Lulu – who are you to judge what is or is not moral?
AJ
November 3rd, 2009
9:58 pm
oh, and when is this country going to separate church from state? Last I checked, that’s one of the things this country was founded on.
sugarapple
November 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
Marriage is between a male and female. He created a mate for Adam which is female get it
Mary
November 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
If this passes, then it won’t be long until I can marry my favorite horse……unbelievable!!
Live and let live
November 3rd, 2009
10:04 pm
Who cares if polygamy is the next step? Why not marry your sister, as long as you (and she) are adults, mentally fit, and you both consent? If this is truly the “land of the free” why don’t we allow other people to do whatever they want to do in their own private lives? So many people are nosy busybodies…if they were to only mind their own business and quit creating excuses to restrict the freedoms of others the world would be a much happier place.
Drew R.
November 3rd, 2009
10:14 pm
I think it is great that the people of Maine have decided to give equal rights to their citizens. I can’t wait until the rest of the states join in making this the true United States of America. Gay people are humans and should have the same rights as all other Americans. This country is suppose to be land of the free and where dreams come true. It amazes me that there are other countries abroad that allow gay marriage. Marriage to me is overrated because if it was such an awesome thing than why do we have so many marriages end in divorce.
Robert
November 3rd, 2009
10:15 pm
What a blow to traditional marriage! What happened to the days when men married women because their daddy was wealthy. What happened to the days when only white people could marry white people?? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DAYS WHEN WE COULD EXECUTE GAY PEOPLE!!!???
Oh lord, our nation of sin!
Drew R.
November 3rd, 2009
10:38 pm
What happened to the days where we could stone people to death like women who aren’t virgins on their wedding night. I know several that would not make it to the altar. What happened to the days of stoning to death people who commit adultery. These would be great ways to help control the population and keep from overcrowding. Robert marriage is suppose to be about love when you say you marry a woman because their daddy is wealthy that is just being greedy. That is what’s wrong with the marriage system. People get married for the wrong reasons.
GO GAY!
November 3rd, 2009
10:41 pm
C’mon, all you heteros need is a good gay lover and you’ll change your minds. Join the gay cause today and get a free flat screen TV!
To the jerk that wants to marry his sister….what a freak! Great job representing straights, dummy.
Bill White
November 3rd, 2009
10:56 pm
It’s not about, “If you don’t like gay marriage, don’t have one.” This is about the survival of the human race, pure and simple. It’s also about what the Bible says. Now don’t get me wrong. I love the gays, but have a problem with their actions. I never condone hurting anyone, but I don’t think that we need special laws if someone hurts a gay or a hetero. Anyway, marriage between a man and woman is the bedrock foundation of modern civilization. In my opinion and this is just my opinion, I think the gays can get treatment. I hear all of you secular progressives right now saying that I’m ignorant, but this is where I think psychiatrists can come in and help. Unfortunately since the days of Dr. Spock and his co-babblers, having this condition has been seen as normal. I know that I’m not being politically correct here, but I think this condition is like cannibilism. Now look at Maine. You don’t get more liberal than those weird folks up there and look at them: they’re having trouble passing this thing. Conservatism has even gone up to them so you know that Hussein Nobama is going down bad.
Titillated in Tulsa
November 3rd, 2009
10:58 pm
All I can say is that reading all these comments makes for great late-night entertainment.
Live and let live
November 3rd, 2009
11:00 pm
Mr. “GO GAY!”:
It’s very amusing to me how you can support a controversial cause involving freedoms and yet flippantly call someone a “dummy” for arguing another, similar cause. Obviously I was making a point–we should not create laws to restrict people’s freedoms unless the exercise of that freedom substantially harms others. Taken to its extreme (and keeping marriage as the central topic), I contend that incest (along with polygamy, gay marriage, and other restrictions on peoples’ freedoms to unite peacefully with another) does not cause others enough harm to justify their outlaw.
Future Mayor
November 3rd, 2009
11:13 pm
I think it’s funny how Americans want to preserve our “culture and morality”
I mean honestly, I can’t think of another country where the Real Housewives could have found more success. Where else could women with no intelligence, talent or even basic peripheral vision work their way into the upper houses of our society.
Yes, same-sex marriages does cause wars, drought & famine. And of course that’s clearly demonstrated in world history……..oh wait, that was the Christian Crusades.
If I don’t have the right to tell parents that their children are morbidly obese at the McDonalds on Highway 78, then what right do they have to tell me who to love?
Daniel J. Tyler
November 3rd, 2009
11:33 pm
Only 1 Thing is to be CLEAR here: This has absolutely nothing to do with marrying animals, slavery, etc. If this country – “The United States of America” – truly stands for equality “for all” – then it should pass a nation-wide law stating ” .. all states should have the freedom to pass laws granting equal rights to any individuals regardless of race, color, sex, creed, disability, national origin or sex orientation. .. but no law shall be presented to vote by the general public to take away rights already given by the courts or state legislatures:”
Humans rights should be allowed – but not taken away by any majority. That is what the the Courts if the United States were created for – to protect the minority from the majority.
When we let the reverse win – then you should know why the country suffers in turmoil.
To the so called “Religious” and so called “Christians” – Jesus came to earth to aid the poor, fight hypocrisy, and fight cruelty to the weak – he did not come to earth to take away anyone’s rights – regardless who they were.
Daniel Tyler
DaMav
November 4th, 2009
12:57 am
Great news from Maine. Gay marriage easily repealed. Time for another round of purse flinging temper tantrums and intolerant attacks on churches.
Derek
November 4th, 2009
1:54 am
In my humble opinion, a vote to ban marriage between same gender couples is violently anti-Christian. Christ taught us to love one another as we love ourselves. How would you want to be treated by society if you were gay? We didn’t choose this. Did you choose to be straight? How does your vote square with Christ’s teaching? What do you think you gain by banning people from marrying the person they love? Ask the 100+ straight people at my “gay wedding.” People told me, including my straight and skeptical brother, that witnessing the depth of commitment in my relationship made their relationship stronger. I have a message for you straight people who thing there is something wrong with gay people, or that we can be “cured.” You are wrong. Open your hearts to Christ’s teaching. Another sad day for individual liberty and freedom.
Chris
November 4th, 2009
7:14 am
Looks like some chickens were counted before they hatched. Next time you might want to wait before a few more precincts report before starting the victory party.
Once again the people have spoken, and they want to preserve marriage the way God intended it.
I look forward to the page 1 coverage of this event in the paper … oh wait, I forgot this is the AJC.
Christina
November 4th, 2009
3:14 pm
This is a huge disappointment. It it sad to see that so many irrational fears have led to this huge step backwards in human rights. Having lived in Massachusetts for the better part of my life, both before, during and after our state’s decision to legalize same sex marriage, I can honestly say that not much has changed. My parents marriage has not disintegrated. My grandparents marriage has not disintegrated. People have not started lobbying to marry their cats or their sisters. Massachusetts has not been sucked into hell. In fact, it’s pretty much business as usual. What I have seen is plenty of happy, loving couples that are finally allowed to be legally recognized for what they are: committed to each other. Shame on whoever would deny them this.
As for state marriage being a religious issue, how about this- we no longer recognize marriage as a state institution. Not for anyone, straight or gay. You can reserve this word for religious purposes but it will have no legal standing. We can all have civil unions.
Wouldn’t that get your panties in a tangle?
Zomy Hernandez
November 4th, 2009
4:39 pm
They’re still our brothers and sisters in Christ. They may not have chosen to see light but that doesn’t mean we should not reach out to those in the dark and lost. We need to help the gays and lesbians.
Ray "School Bus" Nagin
November 4th, 2009
5:28 pm
Man if the Native Americans had been gay they would have never traded their beads.