Marriage Equality in Maine, D.C. and New Hampshire

by Michael Jones · 2009-05-05 20:10:00 UTC
Topics:

Marriage equality

What a day on the statewide level.  First came news this morning that Washington, D.C.'s city council voted 12-1 to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states where same-sex marriage is legal.  The bill now goes to D.C.'s mayor, Adrian Fenty, who has gone on the record of supporting same-sex marriage.

Then, minutes afterward, the Maine House of Representatives voted 89-58 on a piece of marriage equality legislation.  The bill now heads back to the Senate, which has already voted in favor of the bill, to undergo some procedural votes.  Once that happens, it's off to the Governor's desk.  Maine's governor, John Baldacci, hasn't tipped his hat on how he'll come down on the bill.  Here's hoping he doesn't pull a Jim Douglas, and stands up for civil rights.

Now tonight, word comes that the New Hampshire House of Representatives will vote tomorrow on a revised marriage equality bill that was approved by the state's Senate last week.  If the House votes yes, and it is likely to do so, the bill heads to New Hampshire Governor, John Lynch.  If Lynch pulls through, and if Maine's Baldacci signs their marriage equality bill, every New England state but one (Rhode Island) would recognize same-sex marriage.

So much for waiting until 2012 to make that a reality!  It may happen as soon as May 15!

Here's some of the best quotes we've seen all day, representing each one of these locales:

D.C.: "I get up every day and serve the citizens of this city, just as you, and I deserve everything that you enjoy. I will not stop until I have that for every single resident of this city." - openly gay city council member David Catania

Maine: "Marriage is not just a bundle of rights, but is dignity and respect; it is full and equal citizenship; it represents a future of hope for gay and lesbian youth." - Lee Swislow, executive director of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders

New Hampshire: "At this point, the governor is our focus.  We want him to know that a majority of New Hampshire does support gay marriage." - Mo Baxley, executive director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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