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same-sex marriage
Published Nov. 4, 2009Views: 513
By Andrea Stone
In a closely watched race that ran late into the night Tuesday, voters in Maine repealed a recent law that legalized same-sex marriage in the state.
During hours of vote counting, the two sides kept within one percentage point of each other. But opponents of the law finally broke away, holding on to 53 percent of the vote with 87 percent of the state's precincts reporting.
Turnout was higher than expected, reaching 50 percent of the state's electorate, a solid 15 percent above the projected number. Elsewhere on the ballot, voters approved expanding the use of medical marijuana and shot down a measure that would allow the government to increase taxes.
The marriage referendum joined similar ballot measures -- most famously California's Proposition 8 last year -- in signaling the public's hesitance about the gay marriage-friendly direction taken by judges or, in this case, Maine's state legislature and governor. At least 30 other states have rejected gay marriage at the ballot box. In the opposite corner of the country, meanwhile, a Washington state referendum that would give gay couples similar legal rights to married couples appeared to be heading for victory by a narrow margin.
Maine was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through the legislative process. Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill approved by Democratic majorities in both houses of the state legislature on May 6. A day later, opponents of the measure filed the paperwork necessary to launch a people's veto, successfully halting the new law from taking effect in September.
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GOLO member since September 11, 2008
November 5, 2009 7:26 a.m.
GOLO member since September 4, 2009
November 4, 2009 11:54 p.m.
The only type of folks that get "angry" about it are the right winger-christian types.
Whether it be a civil union or one SANCTIONED by a particular church, why should it matter to YOU? WHAT it comes down to is that YOU don't agree with it, therefore it should not be legal.
I don't agree with the Duggar breeders, but that is their CHOICE. Quit trying to make religion (and your religion) be the end all and be all of AMERICAN society.
Stay in your secular beliefs, but leave everyone else alone!! Do I think you're a crazy nutcase for believing in Jesus? Yes!! But I don't try and stop you for that!!
So much for do unto others as you would have done unto you.
WWJD? Leave the gays and the lesbians ALONE. Duh.
GOLO member since July 14, 2007
November 4, 2009 10:49 p.m.
GOLO member since March 20, 2008
November 4, 2009 7:14 p.m.
GOLO member since April 4, 2008
November 4, 2009 7:05 p.m.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodomy_law#United_States
GOLO member since January 22, 2009
November 4, 2009 6:45 p.m.
very well said...
on another note...isn't booty sex illegal in most states?
GOLO member since January 22, 2009
November 4, 2009 6:40 p.m.
November 4, 2009 6:29 p.m.
GOLO member since July 12, 2007
November 4, 2009 6:12 p.m.
I agree. Marriage, a spiritual ceremony that merges two souls together, has nothing to do with civil law, and at some point in time, the government, not the people, will have to agree that a civil union and/or a contract is valid and enforceable.
GOLO member since December 12, 2007
November 4, 2009 5:59 p.m.
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