Maine Senate Passes Same Sex Marriage Law

Following on the heels of New Hampshire, the state Senate in Maine has passed a bill re-defining marriage as "between two people" rather than between a man and a woman. Maine Governor, John Baldacci (D) has pledged to "keep an open mind" on the matter, and the Democratically controlled state has a fairly decent record on human rights. Massachusetts pioneered the movement and legalized same-sex marriage in 2003, becoming the first state to allow gay marriage. In November 2008, Connecticut followed suit, then in a single week in April 2009, first Iowa then Vermont did the same. A round of polls this week indicates the majority of the US now favors legal recognition for gay couples, and for repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell," in favor of allowing gay members of the Armed Services to be open about their sexuality. (Note that I despise the term, "openly gay." So, are people, "openly straight"? Ug.)

The state of New York is hemming and hawing over passage of a similar law, with Gov. David Patterson pushing for the vote in Albany, the state capital, but lawmakers are hesitating, claiming the want to "make sure they have the votes." It's an encouraging sign, however, that the governor, Patterson, is openly criticizing opponents of gay marriage, saying guilt propels them to hate. The state of Nevada just passed a domestic partnership law, giving possible signs that a marriage initiative could be next. Sen. John McCain (R-NV) has recently made statements in favor of recognizing same sex couples legally, which is an encouraging sign as well. These statements came directly on the heels of his daughter, Meghan McCain's editorial calling for a "Gayer GOP."

Meanwhile in California, the "Gay State," haters have a new poster girl: Miss. Haterfornia Miss California, who after getting booed on stage for saying she believes marriage is between a man and a woman -- to celebrity judge Perez Hilton of all people--, and likely losing the Miss USA pageant over it, is now appearing in an anti-gay ad campaign. In November, "Prop 8," an anti-gay marriage law was passed in California, and the state Supreme Court will be ruling on the decision sometime before June 3rd. Who would have thought California would become the touchstone for anti-gay sentiment. It seems however, that the rest of the country is reacting, and reacting with a, "Oh really? Well, look what we can do, oh so liberal, cool California. We can let gay people get married. In Iowa."

I have to say I'm pretty pleased to see what is becoming a snowball effect on same sex marriage. Activists are approaching lawmakers the right way this time: as an equity issue, and as a Constitutional issue, not as a social issue, or even specifically a gay issue. State governors and legislators are being painted into a corner in a way, now that the debate is being framed on equality; you can't single out a specific group of people and deny them rights guaranteed to them by State and Federal constitutions. Hopefully the days of Anita Bryant, where gay people were grouped with prostitutes and thieves (ok don't get me started on prostitution and what's not wrong with that...) are behind us. With the exception of Miss California, but I doubt she'll get the toe-hold Anita got. Note she got booed, and denied a crown over it, not a standing ovation.

Of note as well, Sweden legalized gay marriage today, May 1, 2009, as well, redefining their marriage laws with gender-neutral language.