IDAHO 2009: One Voice, One Message, Heard Around the World

Gay Rights Advocates to Protest Date Violence Bill

From the Associated Press:

COLUMBIA — Gay rights advocates are protesting the exclusion of gay and lesbian relationships from a South Carolina bill meant to curb teen dating violence.

Republican Greg Delleney of Chester said he pushed for the change because he believes it would lead to school officials teaching children about same-sex relationships.

“I don’t want the Department of Education or school districts to teach children in grades six through 12 about (same-sex) relationships,” Delleney said.

Democratic Reps. Gilda Cobb-Hunter of Orangeburg and Ken Kennedy of Greeleyville are among those criticizing last week's vote in the House to bar any mention of gays from the proposed program for middle and high school students.

They plan to join members of the South Carolina Progressive Network and the local chapter of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays on Tuesday to protest the amended bill. It requires another vote before moving to the Senate.

From Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters this quote sums it up for me:

He doesn't want to help us combat potential violence in our relationships because he doesn't care about us. It's bad enough when this comes from an ordinary citizen but the fact that a legislator publicly voices this notion without any shame is awful.

Delleny wasn't elected for his personal and religious beliefs. He was elected to serve the people of South Carolina regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. He can't pick and choose who to serve. Or, in this case, who to protect.

His words emphasizes just how difficult it is for gays to live not only in South Carolina but in the United States in general. No other group is subject to the level of disrespect that we generally receive. Delleny wouldn't have gotten away with his public "screw you" if he had made any other group the subject of his tirade.

He will probably get a pat on the back by like minded homophobic individuals. Yes, Delleny is homophobic. I don't really see how anyone can use buzzwords to defend his actions. He isn't protecting traditional relationships or upholding morality.

Delleny is making it acceptable for South Carolina to cover it's ears so as not to hear the pleas of help coming from victims of relationship violence.

In a broader sense, he is making it acceptable to discriminate against South Carolinians simply because he has a personal problem with their sexual orientation.

Sometimes one should question the logic of an action before it is made, and here is such a case. What is up with the Republican Party? In New Hampshire they are so against GLBT rights they are practically goose-stepping together in unison while reciting the joys of communism. Do we all have to be the same, look the same, and act the same in order for America to be one people? Where is the moderate middle and why have they lost their voice? In the old days extremism was always foo-food away or laughed off, but now it seems like no one has the grapes to step up and say their minds unless they are extremists.

So long as we try to ignore an aspect of our society we will be our own handicap. So long as we try to stick our heads in the sand and pretend LGBT people do not exist we will surely be cursed with a world where we struggle to come to terms with our own stupidity. People of South Carolina, it's high time you woke up and read the words under the Statue of Liberty:

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883

San Antonio Police Respond to GLBT Community Complaint

The San Antonio Police Department has come under fire lately from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activist after police allegedly used derogatory comments against a lesbian couple during a home raid. The women, Lindsey and Carol, had been at home for the evening when police charged through the door advising, "We have a warrant." Evidently, a warrant had been issued after an anonymous informant who had been assisting the SAPD for over 2 years claimed that a man named "Randy" had been seen with methamphetamine in the home. Unfortunately, after the police entered the house, they allegedly made several lewd and derogatory comments about the couple including many references to their sexual orientation. The outrage from the community was swift and resulted in numerous emails to Police Chief, William McManus, resulting in him contacting the San Antonio Stonewall Democrats to advise them that he wanted to speak to the LGBT community about the situation. Chief McManus arrived at a crowded restaurant to a round of thunderous applause. He stood before the room and began by disarming everyone with a history of his involvement with the LGBT Community, including serving as Grand Marshal of the San Antonio Gay Pride Parade in spite of severe criticism. He then assured the group that, because of this history, he would never turn a "blind eye" to allegations of inappropriate conduct by officers against the gay community adding that, "[if the allegations] happen to be true, there are heavy consequences." He further stated:

The leader in a good organization leads by example, and I believe I've done that. My being here tonight is an example of this.

However, the Chief did admit that, although the academy training provides diversity training to new candidates, the officers are not trained to recognize a "slight" to the LGBT community. Lindsey and Carol's case is now in the hands of Internal Affairs and the matter is being investigated. The investigation will not be made public until it has been completed, for which no time frame was provided. Chief McManus insists that the LGBT community must not assume that something went wrong during the search but should instead, "...let due process run its course." In closing, Chief McManus delivered a heartfelt and tender review of his relationship with the LGBT community; however, he was shaken by the way the LGBT community drew such conclusions against him as he, "thought our relationship was better than that. A little love and trust goes a long way on both sides." So we are left waiting for answers, but now know that the investigation is ongoing and that these officers' alleged actions are not going unquestioned.

This report brought to us by jaysays.com

Ethan McNamee; America's Youngest GLBT Rights Activist

DENVER -- A Denver third-grader will be front and center at the Colorado State Capitol Saturday pushing for same sex marriage in the state.

Ethan McNamee arranged the rally as an independent class project.

He was concerned about the issue after hearing about anti-gay remarks on the playground and then learning about a same sex couple in his neighborhood that couldn't get married.
Click here to find out more!

"Everybody is different in a good way," he said.

Ethan believes that if two people love each other that is the only issue to be considered.

Ethan took it upon himself to arrange the rally and line up the guest speakers. He admitted it was more work then he thought it would be, but adds it was fun.

Administrators at Montclair Elementary have been sensitive to the controversial issue. Parents were notified about Ethan's project and only students who wanted to get involved participated.

A handful of kids helped Ethan make signs on Friday afternoon.

Ethan's teacher, Kyle Kimmal, said he was careful to not impose his views on Ethan. He also told Ethan that his stand could anger some classmates and parents and that he should be prepared for protesters at the state capitol.

John Hosty-Grinnell Scoops the MSM !! (as Usual)

I just read this from Mike Ball's site:

"Just in from John Hosty-Grinnell and not available elsewhere, the N.H. legislature will make some of the cosmetic tweaks Gov. John Lynch demanded. However, they'll change the religious-rights amplification bill and not the same-sex marriage one.After a phone chat with Speaker of the House Terie Norelli, he reports that HB73 will get those changes. Then the governor will get the package back.We'll provide more as we get it. "

JHG may be the only person in the world who aways knows what's going on, but that doesn't surprise me.

It is easier to smuggle dawn past a rooster, than to put one over on JHG.

Keith Olberman on Miss California Video

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Driving Equality in West Virginia!

I promised to keep interested parties updated on what GLBT Commissioner and Good Will Ambassador Christopher Mason has been up to in his 48 state trek to promote equality this summer. Here is a quick blurb he put up on YouTube.com for us, click on over to his website drivingequality.com to update yourself more fully.

Congratulations and good luck Chris, we are all watching and hoping your trip is successful!

NH Governor's Statement on Gay Marriage

Gov. Lynch Statement Regarding Same-Sex Marriage Legislation


CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch released the following statement today regarding same-sex legislation in New Hampshire:

“The gay marriage debate in New Hampshire has been filled with passion and emotion on all sides.

“My personal views on the subject of marriage have been shaped by my own experience, tradition and upbringing. But as Governor of New Hampshire, I recognize that I have a responsibility to consider this issue through a broader lens.

“In the past weeks and months, I have spoken with lawmakers, religious leaders and citizens. My office has received thousands of phone calls, letters and emails. I have studied our current marriage and civil union laws, the laws of other states, the bills recently passed by the legislature and our history and traditions.

“Two years ago, we passed civil unions legislation here in New Hampshire. That law gave same-sex couples in civil unions the same rights and protections as marriage. And in typical New Hampshire fashion, the people of this state embraced civil unions and agreed we needed to continue our tradition of opposing discrimination.

“At its core, HB 436 simply changes the term ‘civil union’ to ‘civil marriage.’ Given the cultural, historical and religious significance of the word marriage, this is a meaningful change.

“I have heard, and I understand, the very real feelings of same-sex couples that a separate system is not an equal system. That a civil law that differentiates between their committed relationships and those of heterosexual couples undermines both their dignity and the legitimacy of their families.

“I have also heard, and I understand, the concerns of our citizens who have equally deep feelings and genuine religious beliefs about marriage. They fear that this legislation would interfere with the ability of religious groups to freely practice their faiths.

“Throughout history, our society’s views of civil rights have constantly evolved and expanded. New Hampshire’s great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections.

“That is what I believe we must do today.

“But following that tradition means we must act to protect both the liberty of same-sex couples and religious liberty. In their current form, I do not believe these bills accomplish those goals.

“The Legislature took an important step by clearly differentiating between civil and religious marriage, and protecting religious groups from having to participate in marriage ceremonies that violate their fundamental religious beliefs.

“But the role of marriage in many faiths extends beyond the actual marriage ceremony.

“I have examined the laws of other states, including Vermont and Connecticut, which have recently passed same-sex marriage laws. Both go further in protecting religious institutions than the current New Hampshire legislation.

“This morning, I met with House and Senate leaders, and the sponsors of this legislation, and gave them language that will provide additional protections to religious institutions.

“This new language will provide the strongest and clearest protections for religious institutions and associations, and for the individuals working with such institutions.
It will make clear that they cannot be forced to act in ways that violate their deeply held religious principles.

“If the legislature passes this language, I will sign the same-sex marriage bill into law. If the legislature doesn’t pass these provisions, I will veto it.

“We can and must treat both same-sex couples and people of certain religious traditions with respect and dignity.

“I believe this proposed language will accomplish both of these goals and I urge the legislature to pass it.

Below is the language Gov. Lynch has proposed for the same Sex legislation.

# # #

I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization, association, or society, or any individual who is managed, directed, or supervised by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, shall not be required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges to an individual if such request for such services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges is related to the solemnization of a marriage, the celebration of a marriage, or the promotion of marriage through religious counseling, programs, courses, retreats, or housing designated for married individuals, and such solemnization, celebration, or promotion of marriage is in violation of their religious beliefs and faith. Any refusal to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges in accordance with this section shall not create any civil claim or cause of action or result in any state action to penalize or withhold benefits from such religious organization, association or society, or any individual who is managed, directed, or supervised by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, or any nonprofit institution or organization operated, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society.

II. The marriage laws of this state shall not be construed to affect the ability of a fraternal benefit society to determine the admission of members pursuant to RSA 418:5, and shall not require a fraternal benefit society that has been established and is operating for charitable and educational purposes and which is operated, supervised or controlled by or in connection with a religious organization to provide insurance benefits to any person if to do so would violate the fraternal benefit society’s free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States and part 1, article 5 of the Constitution of New Hampshire

III. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to limit the protections and exemptions provided to religious organizations under RSA § 354-A:18.

IV. Repeal. RSA 457-A, relative to civil unions, is repealed effective January 1, 2011, except that no new civil unions shall be established after January 1, 2010.

Office of the Governor : State House : Concord, NH 03301

What is Going On in NH ?

"Concord – Gov. John Lynch will veto the same-sex marriage bill if it does not change before reaching his desk, he said Thursday.His main concern, he said, is that the bill, HB 436, and a companion bill would not provide enough legal protection for religious groups and institutions.He provided legislative leaders with suggested wording that would satisfy him, and he has left it to the House and the Senate to move next.His demand would expand wording in the companion bill, HB 310, to make clear that churches and religious groups not only would not have to officiate at a gay marriage but also would not have to provide services, facilities or goods of any kind to participants. It also would exempt from lawsuits anyone "managed, directed or supervised by or in conjuncttion with a religious organization, association or society" or nonprofits affiliated with those groups."


Basically what John Lynch wants is that these organizations get an exemption from the Civil Rights Act.

Mike Ball has much more analysis here.

While I hope the Legislaure does something to make the governor happy, this is not right.

Should these ammendments pass, NH is in serious violation of Civil Rights and Public Accomodation law.

I see Mike has update.

You should read his analysis,

Tough Battle Ahead in NY

The drive for marriage equality in New York is in the hands of the state Senate. As of yet, I have no information as to when the vote will take place.

The incomparable Nate Silver analyzes the politics behind the measure here. He optimistically (and simultaneously, pessimistically) points out:

Democrats may take some solace in the fact that, when gay marriage bills
were approved by legislatures in states like Maine and Vermont, they tended to
pass with slightly more votes than anticipated. Still, based on the most
recently available information, I would guess that their odds of securing 32
votes are not better than about one in three.

But there is one thing that Nate did not take into account that may work to our advantage.

The New York GOP's has told their membership that they will not attempt to whip them, and they can vote with their conscience.

That may well make all the difference in the world.

Stay tuned.

New York Assembly Passes Gay Marriage

From the New York times:

ALBANY — The State Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday night that would make New York the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage — a pivotal vote that shifts the debate to the State Senate, where gay rights advocates and conservative groups alike are redoubling their efforts.

In a sign of how opinion in Albany has shifted on the issue, several members of the Assembly who voted against the measure in 2007 voted in favor of it on Tuesday.

The final vote was 89 to 52, including the backing of five Republicans.

Click here to read the rest of the story from it's source.

As we wait to hear from California and New Hampshire it seems other states are lining up to make their own mark in history. My pride runs deep these days, not only for my fellow GLBT but for my country and my neighbors here in New England who can see the truth for what it is and have the courage to make that first stand with us on principal alone.

Barry Scott's Struggle for Justice Continues

Almost two years later Barry Scott's battle for justice is still being fought. Here is an open letter we recieved from Scott this morning:

Upon arriving in Boston in ‘81, I immediately organized the first radio station AIDS Walk team; created the “Aim For The Heart” Radiothon, raising a million dollars; produced a concert series, including the sold-out “Lost 45s Against AIDS” starring the Captain & Tennille; planned and provided music for the Fenway Men’s Event; hosted the first 3 years of the Pride Tree lighting; used connections to secure artists like Cher, Dionne Warwicke and Martha Wash for events too numerous to mention. I never expected anything back; I felt thrilled to be helping others. However, two years after my partner and I were abused by the Provincetown Police, I feel compelled to express disappointment in our community.



The Gay & Lesbian community views Provincetown, Massachusetts as a place to hold hands, go to the beach, dance and relax. While that might be true, two of your members were beaten by the Provincetown Police during a backyard party, details of which are documented at http://mysite.verizon.net/freebarryscott/provincetown.html. This was not the only case of abuse by the Provincetown Police, during my first visit to the Orleans District Court, 3 workers warned us that ‘this has been happening for years’ and ‘we hope you do something to send a message.’ As someone with integrity, I tried to hold Provincetown Police and town officials accountable for their attack on Bryan and me. I was arrested for speaking in a private backyard (which is unconstitutional), kicked repeatedly by untrained cops (so hard my sneaker flew off) and smashed face first into a house—while not resisting arrest. I had no reason to do so as I am a radio professional and had done nothing wrong. My partner, when he asked what they were doing to me, was put in handcuffs. He had just fallen down stairs and was walking with a cane, yet they threw him on a cruiser and held him, without charges, for hours in the Provincetown jail. They said he was drunk (in a private backyard) and refused him a breathalyzer. This is illegal and could happen to you!



I spent over $50,000 in legal costs fighting those criminals; only to discover the Cape Cod legal system, controlled by District Attorney Michael O’Keefe, (known to be corrupt) makes it impossible to win a police abuse case. In the end, a biased judge brought in for the day, enabled a jury not to hear the true story and I was found guilty of misdemeanor charges used to cover the beating. My cost for those charges was $690. >From the community, who cares about Provincetown beyond reason, we received little support. We heard people state ‘we deserved what we got.’ Many said: ‘drop it already, you’re hurting the town.’ We lost many friends, who didn’t want to get involved with our fight; they just wanted ‘their town’ to remain what it was to them. An owner of a local Gay & Lesbian paper asked me ‘why didn’t I keep my mouth shut?’ This shows an embarrassing disregard for the Constitution; it made me think our community doesn’t deserve marriage rights. NO ONE should be arrested and brutalized in a private backyard for saying anything. A person would have to be filled with self hatred to believe this is legal.



Provincetown, the idyllic town, does not exist. Ask Richard Hall, beaten into a coma weeks later, while the Provincetown Police did nothing to find the perpetrators (even though they called him a fag). Our Attorney General’s office quietly paid his medical bills, knowing the town had done wrong. Ask Daniel Coburn, who had rocks thrown at him and was called a faggot. When reported to the Provincetown Police, they arrested him for an outstanding vehicle ticket! ‘Faggot’ was later said to be free speech, while the police beat me for supposedly saying ‘We hate the police’—which I did not. Ask David Jones, beaten by the police because he urinated behind an abandoned building; Ask the biker who had a bike thrown at him during the AIDS ride; Ask the couple who recently (thanks to the complicit silence from the Gay & Lesbian community) were victims when one of them had a seizure and the Provincetown Police would not allow his medically trained partner to administer to him. The partner was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. This could happen to you!



Ask why the only complainant, Yvonne Cabral, owner of the P-Town trolley company, started the anti-gay marriage amendment in Provincetown? Ask why Ed Foley of 4 Holway Avenue in Provincetown changed his story and was allowed to perjure himself while reporters stared open-mouthed when the judge refused cross-examination. Ask why Provincetown Police Officer, Glen Enos, was rubbing Ed Foley’s back before he lied on the stand? Ask why two Provincetown EMTs came forward one year later, three days before trial, suddenly remembering statements I supposedly made. Ask why a juror later contacted me saying I wasn’t guilty, but the judge refused to investigate! Ask why the Gay press stopped reporting these facts when told by the Provincetown Business Guild that advertising support would be withdrawn and then ask if turning your back on members of your own community is worth keeping your town unsafe; for this will enable the Provincetown Police to repeat their actions.



I ask you to rethink your position on these cases that have occurred in your beloved town. My partner and I finally sold our home there, for a loss—as the housing market in Provincetown is worse than it is statewide—heading for a peaceful cabin by a lake in New Hampshire. I continue to appeal. Unfortunately, I don’t fight for the community any longer; I fight because it is the right thing to do. I have more integrity in my little finger than the Provincetown Police and Town Manager Sharon Lynn have in their entire bodies. Win or lose, I can hold my head up high that I tried.



With thanks to our friends and family who remained solidly behind us and a few of the enlightened members of our community who understood why this case was important and stood with us; I ask you to wake up. I care enough to worry that you might be next.



Barry Scott

Hate in San Antonio Nothing New Even From Police

From our corresponding blogger Jay:

Over the past several months, the San Antonio Texas Police Department has come under scrutiny for abuses to LGBT people. This comes as no surprise considering their history - including incidents involving yours truly, a brutal beating of a couple at a local mall during an arrest due to the women “kissing” in public, and two incidents involving gay men on San Antonio’s Main Street [the "gay" district].

The latest episode involves an “anonymous” tip from a neighbor of a lesbian couple indicating the two women had a meth lab in their home. Although untrue, police were able to secure a warrant and entered the couple’s home by knocking the door down on April 28, 2009.

The couple, Carolyn and Lindsey, were settling in for the evening. Lindsey was already in bed and Carolyn had just come in from taking their dogs out when the police broke threw the front door of the house saying, “We have a warrant.”

Police handcuffed Carolyn before one policeman entered the bedroom and found Lindsey hiding her naked body under the covers. The officer asked Lindsey if she were nude, and upon her positive response, he laughed at her then grabbed a t-shirt from the closet and tossed it over to her. A second male officer entered the room and handed Lindsey a pair of pants. Then a third officer entered and watched smiling as Lindsey struggled to dress without revealing herself to the male officers.

When Lindsey stood up, one of the officers grabbed her, turned her around and asked, “What man lives here?” Lindsey answered that there was no man living in the house; however, the police did not believe her because the house contained “male” items such as a samuri sword, knives and a bow. Lindsey advised that the items did not belong to a man, but rather to Carolyn, and that they are a lesbian couple. All of the officers in the room with Lindsey then laughed at her. One of the officers responded:

See, I knew that about you. I knew that y’all were lesbians. I had someone who was in here last night, they described your house and your girlfriend in there. We’re going to bring in a drug dog and if we find a small stash, we’re going to let that slide. But if we find anything like a lab or anything like that, we’re taking you and your girlfriend in.

According to Lindsey, two other officers were talking about how they liked quirky women because they were freaks in bed. She further expressed the couple’s humiliation caused by the rude comments and laughter of the officers noting that the interrogation went far beyond ordinary police work.

For the rest of the story please visit Jay's blog and be sure to leave a comment of encouragement for him and others. This is not a San Antonio issue, it's happening everywhere and needs to be fought by all of us in the GLBT no matter where we live. You have the links, you know what you can do to help.

The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio issued an action alert on May 7 asking the community to send their email protests to the Chief. (William.McManus@sanantonio.gov). Some of those protesters have been sharing their emails.

"We will not remember the words of our enemies, but rather the silence of our friends." ~Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

All Eyes on New York

Tomorrow, New York's Assembly will vote on marriage equality; it should pass with ease as it has done so twice before.

The Senate, however, will be close.

I am encouraged. I was never confident that Vermont had the votes to overide the governor's veto, but they did just that. I was never confident that New Hampshire's legislature would pass the measure, but it did.

I have pleasantly surprised twice.

Trifecta is in play.

Opponents challenging new Maine gay marriage law

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Couples anxious to wed under Maine's new gay marriage law may have a long wait.A formal challenge to it has been filed, setting into motion plans for a possible public vote that could be months or more than a year away."We're very disappointed," said Steve Ryan of Buxton, who was looking forward to the new law with his partner, Jim Bishop. "We plan to get married as soon as we can. This is going to put our whole life on hold."Activists on both sides Thursday started working up strategies for campaigns leading up to a possible November referendum under a state constitutional provision known as the people's veto."The wheels are turning," Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, Maine's chief election official, said after opponents filed an application that sets the stage for the challenge process ahead.

I will dare to predict; this ain't gonna work.

New Hampshire Becomes an Equality State!

Just minutes ago at approximately 5:00PM May 6, 2009 the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed HB436 allowing full marriage equality for their citizens. An exciting end to the day since Maine's governor signed their marriage equality bill (LV 1020) only hours before this historic vote! Now it's onto Governor Lynch for his signature...

By the way, New Hampshire is my home state, you can imagine how much this day means to me!

New Hampshire YouTube Commercial for Gay Marriage

Ayuh !

May 6, 2009

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today signed into law LD 1020, An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom.
“I have followed closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully,” Governor Baldacci said. “I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste.”

“I appreciate the tone brought to this debate by both sides of the issue,” Governor Baldacci said. “This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question.”
“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Governor Baldacci said. “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.”

“Article I in the Maine Constitution states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person’s civil rights or be discriminated against.’”

“This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State,” Governor Baldacci said.

“It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

“Even as I sign this important legislation into law, I recognize that this may not be the final word,” Governor Baldacci said. “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.”

“While the good and just people of Maine may determine this issue, my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do,” Governor Baldacci said.

Senator Dennis S. Damon (D-Hancock County) of Trenton, sponsor of LD 1020, An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom, released the following statement following the signing of the bill into law by Governor Baldacci:

"I am truly overjoyed today. The government of the State of Maine has certainly come down on the right side of civil rights, equality and ending discrimination. I am very proud to be a member of the Legislature. And I am extremely proud to be a Mainer. This has been a long, and at times, difficult process. Today will stand forever as one of the most historic days in our grand and glorious history.

"I pray that as Maine goes, so will the rest of the nation. For far too long people have been denied this basic right that so many of us are fortunate enough to take for granted. Today, in Maine, we have said that same-sex couples are not second class citizens, that separate is not equal, that justice and fairness ultimately prevails over fear and hatred. It's a great day in Maine."

All Eyes on New Hampshire

Yesterday, Maine's House passes LD-1020. The Senate will likely confirm that vote today and then it goes to the governor, who has of yet, refused to say whether he will veto it, sign it or let it become law without his signature.

And now today, New Hampshire's House will vote on their marriage equality bill. This has already passed the House once, and then the Senate. But the Senate added some ammendments so the House will have to concur.

Stay tuned.

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All Eyes on Maine

It is official.

Maine's House of Reprentatives will vote on LD-1020(marriage equality) today. The House convenes at 10:00 EDT.

If you're cubicle-bound and want to keep abreast of the debate, a good place to start would be Pam's House Blend.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Maine House of Representatives voted 87 to 61 in FAVOR of equal marriage! Second vote was 89 to 58

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