Tag: Maine

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Just so you know these people really exist: Paul Madore

“The only reason why the number of supporters for same sex ‘marriage’ may be increasing is because people are sick and tired. Homosexuals have made people sick and tired. Homosexuals have absolutely nothing good to contribute to family life, which is what marriage is all about. A sterile union (between same sex couples) is never in need of marriage, and has nothing good to contribute to marriage or family life. Absolutely nothing.”
– Maine anti-gay activist Paul Madore, in a press release announcing the formation of No Special Rights PAC.
(from JMG)

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Maine legislators send marriage equality initiative to the voters; polls show likely to pass

The Maine House of Representatives unanimously voted this morning to send an initiative on marriage equality directly to voters. House Speaker Robert Nutting, R-Oakland, recognized Minority Leader Emily Cain, D-Orono, to make the motion. Cain is a supporter of gay-marriage.

“We just think this should be decided by the voters,” said Cain’s spokeswoman Jodi Quintero. “We would like to see this citizen initiative succeed.”

A recent poll from PPP shows that Maine voters are likely to approve it:

It looks like Maine voters will reverse their 2009 decision and legalize gay marriage in the state this fall. 54% think that gay marriage should be legal to only 41% who think it should be illegal. And when we asked about the issue using the exact language voters will see on the ballot this fall, they say they’re inclined to support the referendum by a 47-32 margin.

Republicans’ opinions are pretty much the same as they were in 2009. But Democrats’ support for gay marriage has increased slightly, from 71% to 78%. And more importantly independents have gone from voting against gay marriage 52/46 three years ago to now supporting it by a 57/36 margin.

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Maine Caucus results

Mitt Romney has won the Maine Caucus with 39%

Ron Paul received 36%
Rick Santorum received a distant 18%
Newt Gingrich received 6%

The results are non-binding and no delegates are awarded at this time, often referred to as a “beauty contest.”

However, it does give a snapshot of where the Maine GOP community stands today.  And it gives Romney a bit of a respite from his three big losses earlier this week.

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Marriage equality back on the ballot in Maine for 2012

This afternoon, EqualityMaine and GLAD will deliver over 100,000 signatures to Maine’s Secretary of State that will put the freedom to marry on the ballot this November.

Marriage advocates in Maine have worked hard to reach this point, knocking on thousands of doors, having conversations and changing hearts and minds around the state. Once the signatures are delivered today, Maine will become the first state to ever proactively pursue marriage for same-sex couples via a ballot initiative.

Freedom To Marry’s Evan Wolfson released this statement this morning:

“Over the past few years, marriage supporters have knocked on doors, chatted around kitchen tables and in church basements, and talked with their neighbors about their lives, loved ones, and kin, and why marriage matters. Mainers have seen that same-sex couples and their families, like all other families, are working their hardest to take care of their families in tough economic times, sharing in life’s joys and challenges, and doing the work of marriage day to day. That’s why a solid majority of Mainers have opened their hearts and made up their minds in support of the freedom to marry. And while a minority should never have to ask the majority to vote on whether all of us should have the same freedoms under the law, because of how the law and politics work in Maine, this is the only path forward for couples seeking to share in the legal commitment of marriage.”

A lot has changed in Maine since 2009 when a marriage bill passed in the Legislature and was narrowly overturned on the ballot in November. Thanks to the smart work of EqualityMaine and GLAD, public support for the freedom to marry has risen from approximately 48 percent to 54 percent.

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Question 1: Marriage Equality Documentary

“Question 1” is a new documentary shot during Maine’s successful “Yes on 1” campaign to repeal the state’s marriage equality law, utilizing interviews from both sides leading players and volunteers. In the documentary, Yes On 1 chairman Marc Mutty expresses regret for his role. Mutty also acknowledges that his campaign’s claim that “same-sex marriage will be taught in schools” was untrue.

The Portland Press Herald reports that the take-away in this documentary, which was filmed during the campaign on the condition that it not be screened before the election, is the regret expressed by the leader of the anti-gay initiative.

Says Marc Mutty, public affairs director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine, and chair of the “Yes on 1” campaign in the film’s trailer:

“This has been a f**kin’ son of a bitch. This has been awful. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it…I fear I’ll be remembered for the work I did on this campaign…[I’m asking…] for forgiveness for the ways in which I might have betrayed my own self in this endeavor.”

Make sure you go see it.

Watching the trailer is almost too difficult for me. This issue has become such an over-riding issue for me I can barely watch the bigots. I read posted somewhere recently:

“What does the word of God say about collecting a dead spouse’s social security? What does the word of God say about spousal privilege in legal cases? What does the word of God say about the tax code for married couples? CIVIL marriage has nothing to do with some people’s particular interpretation of what they think is the word of God. CIVIL marriage isn’t religious marriage.”

And that pretty much sums it all up for me. I’m tired of the “religious” – who aren’t that religious – using the Bible and the “word of God” to protect themselves from the label “bigot” – which is exactly what they are. I’m really done with it.

Equal is equal. No one wants to (here come the buzz words and catch phrases and talking points – pay attention) “redefine marriage.” All anyone wants is to have the SAME rights as everyone else. That’s why America is the great country it’s supposed to be. Not special rights – equal rights.

Stepping off the soapbox now. Go see the movie.

And vote.