Tag: Maine

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Did Maine Just Move Closer To The First Openly Gay US Governor?

This election cycle, Maine has been entrenched in a three way race for governor. The incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud have been locked in a very tight race, with Independent candidate Eliot Cutler polling at about 13 points.

Today, Cutler held a press conference where he stopped short of quitting the race but did make clear to voters that should they not think he can win on election day to “vote their conscience.”

In other words, go with the guy who can win.

In that Cutler is a left-leaning candidate (former environmental lawyer and worked under the Carter Administration), most believe his support would go to Michaud. Should Michaud win, he would become the United States’ first openly gay governor.

While the November 4 elections look bleak in many ways for Democrats, it could be history making for the LGBT community.

Fingers crossed.

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Maine: National Organization for Marriage fined $50K for illegal anti-gay donations

The state of Maine has fined the virulently anti-gay National Organization for Marriage more than $50,000 for violating the state’s campaign finance laws.

More from LGBTQ Nation:

The Maine Ethics Commission on Wednesday also ordered the National Organization for Marriage to file a campaign finance report that would reveal the donors who supported the 2009 referendum that struck down the state’s gay marriage law.

A lawyer for NOM said that it would file an appeal in state court.

NOM gave nearly $2 million to the political action committee Stand for Marriage Maine, which represented 64 percent of the PAC’s funds. Groups must register as ballot question committees if they raise or spend more than $5,000 to influence a state ballot question.

NOM argues that since the money wasn’t specifically raised for the Maine fight the organization did not have to register or file reports.

Interesting how NOM tells Maine what Maine law is…

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Maine: State House votes down religious-based “license to discriminate against gays” bill

Today, after hours of debate, the Maine House rejected  LD 1428, “An Act to Protect Religious Freedom,” following similar activity by the Maine Senate.

The vote was 89-52.

Rep. Andrew J. McLean, told the House that the legislation, LD 1428, “An Act to Protect Religious Freedom” actually denies religious freedom.

Rep. Justin Chenette, who at 22 is the youngest openly-gay legislator in America, talked eloquently and vehemently about how the bill would affect him. “Religious freedom is important, but this bill makes me feel like a second-class citizen… Name me an issue in Maine — I still haven’t heard one.”

“There isn’t an issue. This is a bill searching for a problem, rather than solving one,” Chenette told his colleagues. “This wastes taxpayer money… It’s fiscally responsible to oppose it.”

More at The New Civil Rights Movement

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Maine Congressman Mike Michaud comes out – “Yes, I am. But why should it matter?”

Congressman Mike Michaud of Maine came out today to stave off a "whisper campaign" about his homosexuality

Rather than let a “smear campaign” that implied he was gay, and that there was something wrong with that, succeed, Rep. Mike Michaud of Maine, who is currently running for governor of the state, decided to come out in editorials running in newspapers across Maine today. That means there are now seven out lawmakers in the House, plus Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

“I wasn’t surprised to learn about the whisper campaigns, insinuations and push-polls some of the people opposed to my candidacy have been using to raise questions about my personal life,” he wrote in a column published by the Bangor Daily News, the Portland Press Herald and the Associated Press. “They want people to question whether I am gay. Allow me to save them the trouble with a simple, honest answer: ‘Yes, I am. But why should it matter?'”

Michaud went on to write in his column that “my personal life has never factored into how I do my job” and “that’s certainly not going to change if I’m elected governor.” He still doesn’t feel the need to provide personal details, despite holding public office, writing:

“Growing up in a large Franco-American Catholic family, it’s never been in my nature to talk about myself. I write this now merely to let my opponents and the outside interests who fund them know that I am not ashamed of who I am. And if seeing someone from my background, in my position, openly acknowledge the fact that he’s gay makes it a little bit easier for future generations to live their lives openly and without fear, all the better.”

(via Out.com)

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Maine: Former President George HW Bush serves as witness at same-sex marriage

(Courtesy of Helen Thorgalsen and Bonnie Clement)

The Washington Post is reporting that former President George HW Bush was an official witness at a same-sex marriage this past weekend:

Another prominent Republican has come out in support of same-sex marriage — or at least, in support of one particular same-sex marriage. Former President George H.W. Bush served as an official witness this past weekend at the Maine wedding of Bonnie Clement and Helen Thorgalsen, co-owners of a Kennebunk general store. Thorgalsen posted a photo of the 41st commander-in-chief signing a set of documents for them at an outdoor celebration: “Getting our marriage license witnessed!”

No big statement from the ex-prez’s office. His rep Jim McGrath confirmed his and wife Barbara’s presence at the wedding: “They were private citizens attending a private ceremony for two friends.”

This is sure to drive the conservative blogosphere insane…

(via JMG)

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Same-sex couples getting married in Maine describe their spouses in one word

Last Friday, Sam Ferrigno of HooplaHa.com, traveled up to Portland to witness some of Maine’s first same-sex marriages. He approached 14 couples with sketch pads, asked them to write how long they’ve been together and to describe each other with one word.

Just one sample: Steven Jones (left) and Jamous Lizotte, two men who might go down in history as the first gay, wreath-crowned couple to get married in Maine.

Lots more joy from the happy day at HooplaHa.com

 

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Maine: Same-sex marriage begins!

The first five same-sex couples who arrived to get marriage certificates walk up the steps of Portland City Hall (Maine) on Friday, December 28, 2012.

They begin to get officially married tomorrow, Saturday the 29th!

Update: First couple to get married under new marriage equality law – “We finally feel equal and happy to live in Maine,” Steven Bridges told the Bangor Daily News after marrying Michael Snell. Same-sex couples can now marry in Maine.

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Maine to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses 12/29

On December 29th, Maine will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses:

According to the Office of the Secretary of State, the certified election results for the state were signed off on by Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday, Nov. 29. The new law becomes effective 30 days from that date.

“The long wait for marriage for same-sex couples in Maine is almost over,” said Betsy Smith, the executive director of EqualityMaine. “Before the end of this year, all loving and committed couples in Maine will be able to stand before their friends, family and community and make a lasting vow to be there for one another.”

On Nov. 6, Maine became the first state to allow committed same-sex couples to receive a marriage license through a popular vote of the people.

(via press release)

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States to reap income windfall from marriage equality

JoeMyGod points out an Associated Press report on the three states about a boom in business due to same-sex weddings:

Add the coast of Maine, the banks of the Chesapeake Bay and the shores of Lake Washington to gay wedding destinations.

Next month and in January, laws go into effect in Maine, Maryland and Washington that allow same-sex marriage. They’re the first states where voters approved such laws, rather than legislators or courts. Nearly 18,000 same-sex couples in those states will exchange vows in the first three years after the new laws are in effect, estimated The Williams Institute, a national think tank at the UCLA School of Law, and the laws should generate at least $166 million in wedding spending in the three states over the next three years from in-state couples alone, boosting tax revenues and creating new jobs.

Wedding-related spending for in-state couples is projected be about $16 million in Maine, $63 million in Maryland and $89 million in Washington. The numbers go up when figuring in out-of-staters who travel to those states to be wed.

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When marriage equality begins in Washington, Maryland and Maine

Thanks to the American Foundation for Equal Rights, here is the timeline for implementing the recently passed marriage equality initiatives:

  • Maine: December 6 at the earliest. This date may change. The initiative goes into effect 30 days after the governor makes a “public proclamation of the result of the vote,” within 10 days after the result has been determined.
  • Maryland: January 1, 2013. This date was included in the original legislation passed by the state’s General Assembly, which was approved by voters.
  • Washington: December 6. All referendums that are approved by voters in the Evergreen State go into effect 30 days after the election.

A response from the US Supreme Court on Prop 8 and DOMA challenges is expected November 26th.