As we reported on the About Town blog last week, the list of Maine's gay-marriage bill co-sponsors — i.e., those legislators lending the most robust support to the measure — was released last Thursday afternoon. There aren't any big surprises among the 64 names signed on to the bill that would legalize same-sex civil marriage, although supporters were happy to have "members that have more traditionally moderate voting records" on the list, according to Maine Civil Liberties Union executive director Shenna Bellows. Just one example is Senator John Nutting (D-Leeds).
"There's also diversity in terms of geography," says Betsy Smith, executive director of Equality Maine. "That's because marriage is not an urban-versus-rural issue." To that end, along with lots of Portland and South Portland names, there are representatives from Bangor, Skowhegan, and Calais on the list.
State senator Dennis Damon (D-Trenton) announced his intent to file the "Act To Prevent Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom" in January. Lobbyists from the Maine Freedom to Marry Coalition spent the next few weeks talking with legislators — some with longtime commitments to gay-marriage rights, and some who were new to the issue. The legislative leadership opened up the bill for more co-sponsors (typically only 10 names can be on the list). Now, the coalition will shift its focus to wooing members of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary (several members of the committee are already co-sponsors).
A public hearing is scheduled for April 24; the committee usually takes action on a bill soon after such a hearing. Should the judiciary committee approve the measure, the next battle will be in the Senate.
And on this front, Bellows is optimistic. The co-sponsor list "bodes well for our prospects in the Senate," she says. "To have unity from the House caucus with significant geographical and political diversity creates support for senators that we know want to do the right thing."
Related:
Legislature will take up gay marriage this session, Marriage activists get closure, look forward, Reform comes to the supermax, More 
- Legislature will take up gay marriage this session
Maine lawmakers are certain to debate gay marriage in 2009, with competing marriage-related bills slated to be filed with the Legislature this week.
- Marriage activists get closure, look forward
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree expressed what many in the room were feeling at Equality Maine’s annual dinner celebration on Saturday night: the function room at the Holiday Inn by the Bay on Spring Street elicits “a little bit of PTSD” for Maine’s gay-rights supporters.
- Reform comes to the supermax
Less than three months into his job, Maine's new corrections commissioner Joseph Ponte has begun to dramatically reform the Maine State Prison's long-troubled solitary-confinement "supermax" unit.
- Gay marriage debate comes to Maine
Even as same-sex marriage supporters across the country reel from the Election Day approval of California's Proposition 8 — which changed that state's constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman — they are optimistic about bringing gay marriage to Maine, possibly in the upcoming legislative session.
- The rain in Maine
If you're planning a trip to Vacationland this summer, be sure to bring your galoshes — the "gay storm" that's been satirized all over the Internet rolled into Maine last week.
- After the battle
In a fast-moving and historic couple of days in Augusta (pity they don't move so fast on other important issues), the Maine Legislature last week approved same-sex marriage, and Governor John Baldacci ended weeks of speculation about what he would do by signing it that very day.
- After the Question 1 vote
Last Tuesday, Maine became the 31st state to put same-sex marriage to a public vote — and to have it lose.
- It's time to party!
Doug Kimmel and Ron Schwiser were married 40 years ago by a Presbyterian minister. They've lived in Hancock — where they pay taxes, attend church, and volunteer in the community — for more than 20 years. Yet, they are virtual strangers in the eyes of the law. They are denied the more than 400 legal rights and benefits that come with marriage under Maine law.
- Ho-Hos and air guitars
The fact is, most couples argue in the early stages of wedding planning. My partner, Diane, and I are no exception to this rule. Currently, our biggest argument surrounding plans for our wedding is whether or not she can slide into the ballroom during our reception, performing Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" on her air guitar.
- Marrying into history
remember the day Vermont legalized Civil Unions for same-sex couples. I was in college at the time and I remember thinking out loud that I could move there and get "Civil Union-ed" someday. It didn't sound the same as my previous dreams of getting "Married."
- Economic scale
We want what everyone wants — happiness and the personal freedoms our forefathers lived and died for.
- Less
Topics:
This Just In
, Politics, Culture and Lifestyle, Maine, More
, Politics, Culture and Lifestyle, Maine, Relationships, Marriage, Bill, Gay marriage, Equality Maine, Betsy Smith, John Nutting, Less
