Maine Could Soon Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

With recent states on the Northeast coast of the United States aiming to legalize same-sex marriage, this debate could potentially transition from the West Coast to the East Coast. Thus, the East Coast could be the new battleground.

Yesterday, New Hampshire’s State Senate passed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. Should Democratic Governor John Lynch sign it into law, New Hampshire could be the fifth state where same-sex marriage is legalized. A similar push is being made in New York and New Jersey. In that respect, the same-sex marriage debate could take the battle over to the northeast coast of the United States. It is already a much heated topic in California. During the 2008 US Elections, the Proposition 8 campaign was by far one of the most popular and most costly campaigns in the state of California. Despite Proposition 8 passing, there has been much political, social, and religious fallout. However, Maine could possibly beat out New Hampshire in being the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Maine’s State Senate voted 20-15 for a bill that legally allows same-sex couples to get married later this year according to the New York Times article. Like Governor Lynch of Maine, Democratic Governor John Baldacci of Maine is also opposed to the notion. But, he is being open-minded to that possibility. With same-sex marriage already approved in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, this heated debate could very well take place on the northeast coast. In short, it seems inevitable that this area of the United States will be the new battleground for such a heated social topic. In an unrelated and similar event, the United States House of Representatives passed the bill known as the “Matthew Shepard Act.” With the case of Maine, it is not final according to an article on the Wall Street Journal. This is just the primary approval. The State Senate is going to have to vote on this issue a few times. Like in New Hampshire, votes were along partisan lines. In the case of New Hampshire, only one Republican voted in support. The other Republicans voted against it. This is pretty much the same case for Maine according to the WSJ article. Kevin Raye, the Republican Senate Minority Leader, took the side in support of the bill. In an article on Edge Boston, it explains that Maine already has a domestic partner registry that same-sex couples can access. However, the rights and benefits are limited. The article highlights that other states in New England could be on their way towards legalizing same-sex marriage. If and when Maine and New Hampshire legalize it, Rhode Island will be the only New England state in which same-sex marriage is not legalized. Perhaps the battle could be brought over to Rhode Island as well. An article on On Top Magazine explains that supporters had outnumbered opponents in regards to the bill passed in Maine. It also points out that a similar measure might be brewing in Rhode Island. On a somewhat related note, Miss California Carrie Prejean is the star for a new anti-gay marriage ad.