Marriage Equality

By legalizing same sex marriage, Maine ensured that committed couples will no longer suffer the indignity of being denied the rights and privileges afforded by marriage. This is truly a matter of fairness. By making it clear that religious entities are not required to perform a marriage ceremony if it is not consistent with their beliefs, the legislature reaffirmed the freedom of churches to worship without the interference of the state. By ending discrimination in our marriage laws and protecting religious freedom Maine has become a fairer place.

Many feel that with a provision in Maine law to allow same-sex marriage this will harm religious autonomy and personal beliefs. However, the reality is religious freedom and autonomy will not be affected by changing Maine law. Allowing civil marriages does not force churches to recognize or perform homosexual marriages.

Many prosperous countries around the world offer provisions for civil marriage in their constitution with no detrimental effects on their country or quality of life. Countries offering same-sex marriages with equal rights as heterosexual marriages include: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, The Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Dennis S. Damon of Hancock County. The bill received bi-partisan support in the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Baldacci in early May.

Excerpts from Senator Damon’s Testimony on LD 1020, An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom:

Rarely do we as legislators have the opportunity and the privilege to introduce legislation that so wholly corrects discrimination and provides the means for us to move forward as a civil society bound by laws. As I stand before you today flanked by my colleagues and supported by family, friends, neighbors and strangers—citizens all of this great state and nation—I feel at once both tiny and huge, tiny because I am but one in this sea of change whose tide is sweeping us now and huge because I am blessed with the honor of presenting this landmark legislation to you and to our law making process. Everyday I feel the responsibility of doing the people’s business. Never have I felt it more than today.

At its core this bill allows two people to marry. Any two people who are of legal age; who love each other, who have agreed to support and care for each other, through thick and thin, sickness and health, richer and poorer and all the other conditions we ask of them, as long as they each shall live, will be allowed to marry when this bill passes into law. Any two people regardless of their gender or sexuality will be allowed to marry and they will be treated the same in the eyes of Maine law. They will be treated equally.

Additionally, this bill respects religious freedom and it does not require that any church in any religion conduct any marriage ceremony it feels violates its tenants or doctrines. Simply put this bill will allow people to live and let live.

Thomas Jefferson said, “…laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind.” Laws and institutions MUST go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. It is my deeply held belief that the progress of the human mind in this state and in this country does not tolerate discrimination, does not tolerate social injustice, and does not tolerate hatred and bigotry. The progress of the human mind does not tolerate homophobia.

The progress of the human mind does embrace and promote love, understanding, compassion, fairness, freedom, liberty and justice for all.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Committee this bill is fair, it allows same sex couples who love one another and who have vowed to spend their lives together supporting and caring for one another the same status and protection under the laws of Maine that opposite sex couples enjoy. It’s fair.

This bill is right; it does not set up a fictitious class of ‘separate but equal’ status by which we pretend to afford different groups the same rights and privileges. It’s right.

This bill’s time has come. It relieves the burden which has oppressed us for too long. It recognizes the worth and dignity of every man and every woman among us. It announces to all and verifies that all people; gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, or transgendered must have and will finally have the same rights and protections as everyone else. It’s time.

Maine Senate Democrats

Marriage Equality

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