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Bitterly Disappointing: Maine overturns Marriage Equality
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In a heartbreaking blow for progressives around the United States, and by a very narrow margin, Maine voters on Tuesday decided to rescind that state’s recognition of equal marriage rights for gay couples, 53% to 47 %, with 87% of precincts reporting.
Despite being outspent by pro-marriage equality groups, ultra-right evangelical interests managed to eke out a win in this hotly-contested ballot initiative, doing so mainly through spurious accusations regarding school curricula and a convoluted, poorly-worded question.
In an interview with MSNBC, Jesse Connolly, manager of Protect Maine Equality, said, "We're here for the long haul and whether it's just all night and into the morning, or its next week or next month or next year, we will be here. We'll be here fighting. We'll be working. We will regroup."
However, in a state noted for an independent-minded electorate, the defeat of a civil rights measure through referendum left many deeply disappointed and angered. Questioned by the media, Mount Vernon resident Carla Hopkins bluntly stated the feelings of marriage equality supporters everywhere: "Our relationship is between us. How does that affect anybody else? It's a personal thing."
Supporters of the marriage repeal had, as in California, made the contention that the state’s recognition of marriage by same-sex couples would lead to homosexuality – and homosexual sex – being taught in schools. Notwithstanding, according to the Maine Attorney-General, no such provision was included anywhere in the legislation first authorizing marriage equality when it passed the state legislature in the spring.
The vote in Maine marks the 31st time that an individual, secular civil right has been voted upon in a referendum - and the 31st time that an entire minority group has been denied individual rights based upon the whims of the electorate.
Maine’s regional neighbors of Vermont (2009), New Brunswick (2005), Nova Scotia (2004), and Quebec (2004) all have same-sex marriage rights, as will New Hampshire effective in July of 2010. Much to the shock and consternation of so-called “Evangelical Christians,” not one of those locations have yet been subject to a plague of locusts or been destroyed by fire and brimstone.
Elsewhere around the country, voters in Kalamazoo, Michigan approved a city ordnance barring discrimination against LGBT individuals. In another closely-watched race, voters in Washington State voted on the so-called “Everything but Marriage” proposition, granting same-sex couples all the rights and responsibilities of heterosexual marriage but without the use of the actual word itself. That race was too close to call as of press time.
