Gov. John Baldacci of Maine Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill

On April 29, the New Hampshire State Senate had passed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. If Democratic Governor John Lynch signed it, New Hampshire would have been the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage. However, New Hampshire was promptly beaten by Maine today. As the Wall Street Journal reports, Democratic Governor John Baldacci of Maine signed the bill into law. As a result, Maine is now the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage. It is the forth sate in the New England region to do so. Other states are: Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont. The issue of same-sex marriage is still being debated in New Hampshire. There is the possibility it could head into Rhode Island. However, the whole debate could shift from California to the East Coast of the United States. In California, the topic of same-sex marriage was hotly debated. One should remember the heated Proposition 8 campaign. It was California’s biggest campaign during the 2008 United States Elections. On a side note, Baldacci himself is opposed to gay marriage. He explains that civil unions and civil marriages are two different things. So far, he has gotten support from Republican US Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe. The New York Times reports that despite the signing of the bill, same-sex couples cannot get married just yet. They would probably have to wait ninety days. During that time, opponents could attempt to derail it. It further explains that opponents need 55,000 signatures within ninety days of that time for a “people’s veto.” This could be further proof that the heated same-sex marriage debate could head over to the East Coast. The part of the 55,000 signatures required is also covered in an article on UPI.com. In a Reuters article, it reports that the gay marriage movement has made significant victories. It also points out that advocates in California are still battling to overturn Proposition 8, which is a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. It also points out that legislation on the issue is still going on in New Hampshire. A full statement by Baldacci on the issue can be read in the MSNBC article. Still, anything can happen between now and ninety days from now.