Maine House of Representatives approves Marriage Equality legislation

Bill passes with bipartisan support, 89—57

May 5, 2009

Augusta, ME—The Maine House of Representatives passed legislation that addresses the inequalities in Maine’s marriage laws, allowing loving and committed same sex couples to get married. Maine joins Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, and Vermont in recognizing civil marriage for same sex couples, and other states are currently considering similar proposals. The bill, L.D. 1020, “An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom,” passed the Maine Senate last week with a strong bipartisan vote of 21 to 14.

“I’m very proud of the strong vote we saw today in favor of fairness and equality,” said Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree. “Some have said that this is not the right time for this, given all that we face. I would say that there is never a “right” time to ensure fairness and equality. Equal protection under the law is a right to which all Maine people and families are entitled, and they should not be asked to wait.”

Last week’s Senate vote provided strong momentum for the proposal, which came on the heels of an especially strong vote of support from the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. The Committee participated in a large public hearing on April 22nd drew thousands of Mainers to Augusta, many of which affirmed support for Marriage Equality.

“Another great day and another step forward in the process,” said Senator Dennis Damon, D-Trenton. “The momentum is definitely going in the right direction and it seems like we are picking up steam.”

Many members of the House of Representatives spoke in favor of the legislation, citing the need to grant full marriage rights to same sex couples. Currently, domestic partnership provisions provide only a fraction of the benefits of legal marriage, and there are over 400 references to marriage rights in state statute. Many same sex couples attempt to protect rights for themselves and their loved ones through wills and other legal mechanisms, but cannot recreate the same level of rights that heterosexual couples have.

“I have been dreading taking a vote on this issue for 2 weeks. But I finally came to the realization that this is not about my problems,” said Rep. Pat Flood, R-Winthrop, who supported the bill. “This is about gay people that would like the freedom to get married. I do not wish to withhold that celebration from anyone.”

"I come from a group of people who know what the word equality means, and we know what it doesn’t mean,” said Rep. Wayne Mitchell of the Penobscot Nation, a non-voting member that supported the bill in the Judiciary Committee and on the floor of the House. “It would be nice if we could recognize the meaning of that word today.”

Multiple members argued that the bill ensured a civil right guaranteed to some citizens of Maine, but not all. Others said that all residents should be afforded the dignity and respect of marriage rights, regardless of sex.

“This bill is the end of civil discrimination for gay couples,” said Rep. Charles Priest, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. “I want our state to build up marriage as an institution in this state, not tear it down.”

“If the state told me who I could or couldn’t marry, I would be infuriated. How dare the state make a statement like that? This is MY life,” said Rep. Rob Hunt, D-Buxton.

The House passed the measure 89—57, with Members from both parties voting in favor of the legislation. House Majority Leader John Piotti hailed the vote as one of the proudest days he has spent in the Legislature.

“This is a day that truly makes me proud to be a Mainer,” said Piotti. “Today we advanced equality and personal freedom. We will look back on this day and be proud of Maine’s leadership.”

The bill was finally enacted by the House of Representatives. It will now be sent to the Senate for final enactment, where it has already passed previously. After the bill passes the Legislature, it will be sent to the Governor.

Contact:

Tim Feeley, communications director, 287-1306 (Pingree)
Nina Fisher, legislative aide, 287-1515 (Damon)
Kyle Leighton, communications director, 287-1433 (Piotti)