Maine Voters Repeal Law Allowing Gay Marriage

[RockX]

In a stinging setback for the national gay-rights movement, Maine voters narrowly decided to repeal the state’s new law allowing same-sex marriage.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday morning, 53 percent of voters had approved the repeal, ending an expensive and emotional fight that was closely watched around the country as a referendum on the national gay-marriage movement. Polls had suggested a much closer race.

With the repeal of the same-sex marriage law, Maine became the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage at the ballot box. Five other states — Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont — have legalized same-sex marriage, but only through court rulings and legislative action.


LOL

Another state that was won by Obama, but yet said no to gay marriage. Looks like their is hope for democrats after all.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/us/politics/05maine.html

 

[Onceler]

Obama is not in favor of gay marriage.

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

Obama is not in favor of gay marriage.

exactly....

an unfortunate outcome, most likely based on ignorance and fear

 

[leaningright]

Obama is not in favor of gay marriage.

A fact that many on the far right seem not to know or want to ignore. I have to point this out all the time to folks where I live. My point with them is I want them to have their facts straight. I tell them there's plenty to criticize Obama for ... but you need to get it right or you look like a dufus.

 

[Onceler]

exactly....

an unfortunate outcome, most likely based on ignorance and fear

The country really isn't ready for gay marriage; it might be down the line, but right now, it is too divisive.

Civil unions is likely a much better way to go right now, and an area where most agree.

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

The country really isn't ready for gay marriage; it might be down the line, but right now, it is too divisive.

Civil unions is likely a much better way to go right now, and an area where most agree.

this is true...

its pretty close though, in maine as in cali, the referundums were only a few points apart, something like 53% against gay marriage

 

[Timshel]

The country really isn't ready for gay marriage; it might be down the line, but right now, it is too divisive.

Civil unions is likely a much better way to go right now, and an area where most agree.

It treats them as second class citizens. It's a good fallback but not the end.

53% is not a big win. We are closer and the day is coming. No reason to throw in the towel now.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

Thank god we live in a place where the majority can take the rights away from the minority.

 

[Topspin]

Can progressives now start to focus on the much more relevant jailing of 800,000 mostly minority pot smokers.
IMHO it's 100x more important than gay rights to marry, is anyone in Jail for being gay?

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

Can progressives now start to focus on the much more relevant jailing of 800,000 mostly minority pot smokers.
IMHO it's 100x more important than gay rights to marry, is anyone in Jail for being gay?

The two are not related. And in all honesty, while I am all for ending the war on drugs, legalizing pot, etc. Removing convicted criminals from jail because of a grandfathering has too much dangerous potential to be applied into other area's.

 

[cawacko]

The Maine vote got a lot of press in SF (for obvious reasons) but also because a lot of people from California went to Maine to volunteer for the campaign.

These votes have been close as has been noticed and I would think over time its more likely that people against gay marriage today are likely to change their opinion in the future to supporting it than those who are for it today switching in the future to being against.

 

[Topspin]

what they have in common are a shit load of progressives supporting them.
just one has major implications and the other one is kinda touchy feely (no pun intended)

 

[Onceler]

It treats them as second class citizens. It's a good fallback but not the end.

53% is not a big win. We are closer and the day is coming. No reason to throw in the towel now.

I tend to agree that it treats them as 2nd class citizens, but I also don't want to let the perfect be the enemy of the good (sorry, old political cliche...I know).

I just see more incremental change on this one; secure the basic rights first...

 

[Timshel]

The Maine vote got a lot of press in SF (for obvious reasons) but also because a lot of people from California went to Maine to volunteer for the campaign.

These votes have been close as has been noticed and I would think over time its more likely that people against gay marriage today are likely to change their opinion in the future to supporting it than those who are for it today switching in the future to being against.

Definitely, lost another battle but winning the war.

Once

I agree the fallback of civil unions is a good interim. It alleviates most of the suffering which is key.

But this vote is a win for gay marriage. It demonstrates a significant shift is underway. Especially, considering the national vote was a bit of mini-Republican revolution.

 

[WinterBorn]

Civil unions would be a good fall back. Let society become accustomed to that, and see that the world didn't end.

Then see about having all the straights that go to the courthouse or have wedding without any religious input be called a civil union.

After the lines are blurred enough, no one will care.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

In a stinging setback for the national gay-rights movement, Maine voters narrowly decided to repeal the state’s new law allowing same-sex marriage.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday morning, 53 percent of voters had approved the repeal, ending an expensive and emotional fight that was closely watched around the country as a referendum on the national gay-marriage movement. Polls had suggested a much closer race.

With the repeal of the same-sex marriage law, Maine became the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage at the ballot box. Five other states — Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont — have legalized same-sex marriage, but only through court rulings and legislative action.


LOL

Another state that was won by Obama, but yet said no to gay marriage. Looks like their is hope for democrats after all.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/us/politics/05maine.html

Like most wingnuts your a political rube. Maine also passed probably the most liberal medical marijuana law in the nation yesterday too.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

The Maine vote got a lot of press in SF (for obvious reasons) but also because a lot of people from California went to Maine to volunteer for the campaign.

These votes have been close as has been noticed and I would think over time its more likely that people against gay marriage today are likely to change their opinion in the future to supporting it than those who are for it today switching in the future to being against.

I think it's more a generational issue. Another 20 years most of those opposed will be dead.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Thank god we live in a place where the majority can take the rights away from the minority.

Yea it's nice to know that freedom and liberty are just not empty words to some people, isn't it?

 

[leaningright]

I think it's more a generational issue. Another 20 years most of those opposed will be dead.

I really think this is correct. In 20 - 30 years most fundamentalist Christians will be dead.

 

[cawacko]

I really think this is correct. In 20 - 30 years most fundamentalist Christians will be dead.

Is that true though? Aren't there a lot of people that become more fundamentalist later in their lives? Not a rhetorical question because I don't know the answer but that was always my impression.