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News & ArtsTuesday, May 5, 2009
Homo Re: Maine Event
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, May 5, 2009 at 12:27 PM
After a three-hour debate, the Maine House gave final approval to a same-sex marriage bill and sent it back to the Senate, where a final vote is pending.Representatives voted 89-57 Tuesday afternoon to give the bill final approval after rejecting an amendment that called for a November referendum. The bill was sent back to the Senate, which is expected to take it up when it returns Wednesday. The proposal would make Maine the fifth state to allow gay marriage.
Same-sex marriage already passed Maine's senate; the vote next Wednesday is a formality. One of the Dem state reps in Maine who voted "yes" on the bill—Steve Butterfield—sent this moving note to TPM:
I'm struck by how overwhelmingly the balance of representatives today have spoken in favor—on both sides. A Republican representative known for being a staunch conservative gave an exceptional and moving floor speech early on this morning in which he said he realized "this is not about me" and announced his support.Yes, there's the feeling of being a part of history, and yes, there's the camaraderie of righteousness that comes from being on the right side of a pivotal issue—but the mood here very much feels like this movement is more inevitable than it was even a month ago.
We're winning.
1
Thanks for sharing. I love the line, "this isn't about me". I wish we all, always, thought that way.
4
Go New England!
Makes me wish I had moved there instead of the deep south, where we are lucky there aren't public lynchings still happening (much).
Makes me wish I had moved there instead of the deep south, where we are lucky there aren't public lynchings still happening (much).
7
Pretty good day, this and DC. Too bad New Hampshire probably won't be able to override the likely veto...
9
Would be nice to know what the average Mainer thinks about this, but I'm not counting on those in the high to give them a voice on this.
10
I think it's interesting that it's the New England states that are leading the way on this. It's not necessarily because they are predominantly liberal states (NH and ME anyways). I credit it to the stereotypical nature of New Englanders -- extremely practical, not prone to emotional arguments, fiercely independent, etc. It also probably has something to do with the fact that the people who are religious tend to be the traditional Protestant denominations (Methodist) as opposed to evangelicals.
My Maine family always tells me that my personality is that of a true New Englander, and I definitely see that as a compliment...
My Maine family always tells me that my personality is that of a true New Englander, and I definitely see that as a compliment...
11
I'm so glad it passed, now if we can only get this past the Governor. Also, thanks for reporting this Dan. I wish the Main Stream Media would give this more coverage.
12
9) I'd like to see what the average Mainer thinks of your demographic, and it's over 80% family failure rate. Maybe you should consider cleaning up your own house before judging others on theirs?
13
@9, Mainers hold their electeds accountable, and at the same time expect them to be leaders, not lapdogs of special interests. Any special interests, yours, mine, whichever. That's how this is happening. This is about democracy, which you and your kind can try to steal, but will never own.
This is also bigger than your fetish for worrying, so just let it go. Live a little. And if you need to pee, go do it in your own pond for a change.
This is also bigger than your fetish for worrying, so just let it go. Live a little. And if you need to pee, go do it in your own pond for a change.
15
Loveschild: 47.3 for, 49.5 against with the "for" side gaining 9 points in 5 years and the "against" side losing 9 points. Moreover, 49.5% is also the number of eligible voters aged 18-34 who support full marriage equality. It's the 55 and up crowd that pushes it down, only 31% of those folks support it.
Statistically speaking, sinking below a majority to a mere plurality on the heels of a 1.8pt/year slide means that the issue is effectively settled and is moving toward non-issue status.
This is why we have a representative democracy. It keeps us from having to go back and unvote something. Since you're only 22, you probably don't understand that quite yet.
Statistically speaking, sinking below a majority to a mere plurality on the heels of a 1.8pt/year slide means that the issue is effectively settled and is moving toward non-issue status.
This is why we have a representative democracy. It keeps us from having to go back and unvote something. Since you're only 22, you probably don't understand that quite yet.
16
Thank goodness!
I watched the speeches and vote via the internet. There was an Indian representative who was very funny. Watching local politics is a strange experience.
Also, they clapped when it passed.
I watched the speeches and vote via the internet. There was an Indian representative who was very funny. Watching local politics is a strange experience.
Also, they clapped when it passed.
20
Funny, it IS "about me" when it comes to Dan Savage. Everything the in the world is! Wah wah wah, the world has to stop so that *I* can marry MY boyfriend. Pay attention to MY issue everybody (meanwhile screw yours..)
Would be nice to see him stand up for something that doesn't directly involve himself for a change.
Would be nice to see him stand up for something that doesn't directly involve himself for a change.
22
@15 Assuming a 3% margin of error (which is usually the margin of error in these types of polls-- I've never understood why people don't publish these things as the intervals they are and not the silly point estimates that can be somewhat misleading) that is a statistical tie. Although-- in order to be sure-- I'd have to see your source(s).
23
kim, let's just say I found that one out in the course of reminding myself why I don't participate in those KOMO news thread things. J87 and Loveschild say the exact same things and make the exact same arguments; Loveschild is just more prone to fits of outright hatred here.
24
@22 - Margin of error is 4.9%. It's being conveyed in the media as a tie, which, statistically speaking, it is. We all know which side has the momentum, though...
25
kyle, it's the Bangor Daily News. They cite previous studies with the obvious caveats toward sample size and such. The big thing in this though is regional shift, where neighboring a close-by states sometimes follow the actions of other states cautiously to stay within the regional curve, so I'd expect sooner or later to get a bump from the Vermont ruling.
26
Someday soon, a married gay couple from New England's going to move down here to Texas and sue under the Equal Protection clause of the 14th amendment.
It's logic that only Fuckslaves of Evil like Injustice The Dishonorable Fuckslave Scalia, Self-Double Fisting Injustice Fuckslave Thomas, Santorum sucking Injustice Fuckslave Alito, and Chief Injustice Fuckslave Sucker of Satan's Cock Roberts could disagree with.
The question is, whither Kennedy?
It's logic that only Fuckslaves of Evil like Injustice The Dishonorable Fuckslave Scalia, Self-Double Fisting Injustice Fuckslave Thomas, Santorum sucking Injustice Fuckslave Alito, and Chief Injustice Fuckslave Sucker of Satan's Cock Roberts could disagree with.
The question is, whither Kennedy?
28
@20:
When your mom and dad finally give you unrestricted internet access for your 16th birthday, then you too can start your own blog, and SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT ON IT!
Until then, be sure to brush your teeth, wash behind your ears, eat all your vegetables, be in bed by 9:00 p.m. and when mom and dad say, "lights out" they mean lights OUT!
When your mom and dad finally give you unrestricted internet access for your 16th birthday, then you too can start your own blog, and SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT ON IT!
Until then, be sure to brush your teeth, wash behind your ears, eat all your vegetables, be in bed by 9:00 p.m. and when mom and dad say, "lights out" they mean lights OUT!
30
"Average Mainer" here. Love it. Love, love, love gay marriage. LOVE equal rights. So fucking proud of my state right now. Maine is kind of conservative, but more in a Libertarian way than an evangelo-fascist kind of way. I think most folks here say "Marry whoever the fuck you want, just don't raise my taxes or make me wear a motorcycle helmet." We're a little different.
CALL BALDACCI. Our governor. He hasn't said a word about whether he'll veto or pass. He looks like Elliot Spitzer. He wants to talk to you. 207-287-3531.
CALL BALDACCI. Our governor. He hasn't said a word about whether he'll veto or pass. He looks like Elliot Spitzer. He wants to talk to you. 207-287-3531.
32
So funny to see the anti-Civil Rights crowds arguments fall apart. Can't wait for the complete breakdown where they are finally forced to admit that they are actually fighting against gay marriage because they don't like gay people. Their other arguments are being rebutted quickly. You can see it here with LCs talking points changing. First they were railing against "activist judges" and now they say the Legislature shouldn't make the law either (seems like they need basic instruction in US Gov't.). I again ask anyone who feels like this should be up to a vote of the people how they would feel if "the people" got to vote on something that directly touched their lives.
It's not about you or your stupid feelings. It's about justice and equality. If you want someone to care about your obsession with keeping a certain group down go see a therapist.
It's not about you or your stupid feelings. It's about justice and equality. If you want someone to care about your obsession with keeping a certain group down go see a therapist.
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