Queersetti
Bastardo Suave
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2003
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Maine Anti-Gay Amendment Dies
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
(Augusta, Maine)_ It was the slimmest of majorities, but the Maine Senate Tuesday defeated a proposal to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.
The House last month rejected the plan. The Senate voted 17-1, mainly along party lines._
The bill would have instructed the Judiciary Committee to develop an amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. Maine already has legislation barring gays from marrying but Republicans called for the amendment to prevent judges from overturning the Defense of Marriage Act.._
Prior to the vote Republican lawmakers addressed a rally by conservative Christian groups on the steps of the State House._
"Does anyone out there think marriage is worth fighting for?'' Rep. Brian Duprey, R-Hampden, asked the crowd. The audience cheered in response to Duprey, who had sponsored the unsuccessful House order.
The Maine Lesbian-Gay Political Alliance said it doubted the issue would return._
"The Maine Constitution has never before been amended to discriminate against a group of Maine citizens,'' said Maggie Allen, the president of the group. "The constitution is not a place for discriminating against anyone.''
Allen said her organization is currently working on domestic partnership legislation that would provide inheritance and next-of-kin status rights for surviving domestic partners
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
(Augusta, Maine)_ It was the slimmest of majorities, but the Maine Senate Tuesday defeated a proposal to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.
The House last month rejected the plan. The Senate voted 17-1, mainly along party lines._
The bill would have instructed the Judiciary Committee to develop an amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman. Maine already has legislation barring gays from marrying but Republicans called for the amendment to prevent judges from overturning the Defense of Marriage Act.._
Prior to the vote Republican lawmakers addressed a rally by conservative Christian groups on the steps of the State House._
"Does anyone out there think marriage is worth fighting for?'' Rep. Brian Duprey, R-Hampden, asked the crowd. The audience cheered in response to Duprey, who had sponsored the unsuccessful House order.
The Maine Lesbian-Gay Political Alliance said it doubted the issue would return._
"The Maine Constitution has never before been amended to discriminate against a group of Maine citizens,'' said Maggie Allen, the president of the group. "The constitution is not a place for discriminating against anyone.''
Allen said her organization is currently working on domestic partnership legislation that would provide inheritance and next-of-kin status rights for surviving domestic partners
