Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Maine Gov Signs Gay Marriage Bill

State the fifth to OK nuptials as Baldacci signs measure quickly

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted May 6, 2009 11:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – Just hours after the Maine Legislature gave final approval to gay marriage today, Gov. John Baldacci signed the bill into law, the Kennebec Journal reports. When it takes effect 90 days after the legislative session ends in June, Maine will become the fifth state to allow same-sex nuptials. “This is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law,” Baldacci said. “A civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”

“This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs,” the Democrat said. “It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of church and state. It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

The Maine Legislature has approved a gay marriage bill. (Shutter stock)

Maine Gov. John Baldacci gestures after signing a gay rights marriage bill in his office at the State House in Augusta, Maine, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)

House Speaker Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, counts votes as Maine's House members gave final approval to a same-sex marriage bill at the State House in Augusta, Maine, on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)

Opponents of gay marriage line up to testify at a packed hearing before a legislative committee in Augusta, Maine on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Cuomo Turned Gay Marriage Into Personal Mission

New York governor pulled all the strings masterfully

(NEWSER) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is winning rave reviews for getting gay marriage passed in New York. ("Enormous victory" for him, declares Politico .) And the New York Times has a lengthy piece detailing how he personally managed the push, including the wooing of deep-pocketed GOP donors who could provide cover for Republican legislators. Sample line: "It was about a Democratic governor, himself a Catholic, who used the force of his personality and relentlessly strategic mind to persuade conflicted lawmakers to take a historic leap." More»

Brad: We're Considering Marriage

...kids keep asking, so 'it's something we've got to look at'

(NEWSER) - Brad Pitt says he and long-time lover Angelina Jolie might consider marriage now—not because they're passionate about tying the knot, but because their kids are discussing it. The Hollywood powerhouse duo have said they won't marry until gays are allowed to wed. But now “the kids ask about marriage,” he tells USA Weekend . “It's meaning more and more to them. So it's something we've got to look at.” One thing they won't let the kids do is interfere with their sex life. “There are no secrets at our house,” Pitt explains. “We tell the kids, ‘Mom and Dad are going off to kiss.' They go, ‘Eww, gross!' But we demand it.” Click for more on what the Jolie-Pitt household is like . More»

In France: Screw Marriage, Give Me a Civil Union

Partnerships simplify breakups, avoid religious ties

(NEWSER) - In France, civil unions are soaring in popularity—for heterosexuals. PACS, as they are known in France, were established in 1999 and lauded by gay-rights advocates; little did they expect the huge success of the measure ... among straight people, who made up 95% of the civil unions created last year. There are now two civil unions for every three marriages in the country, the New York Times reports. Couples cite a variety of reasons for the choice, which provides most of marriage's legal benefits. More»

4 in 10 Say Marriage Is Becoming Obsolete

And 'family' can include unmarried couples, most believe

(NEWSER) - As marriage rates fall , more Americans believe that marriage is becoming obsolete: About 39% of Americans, to be exact. That number is up from 28% who held the same belief in 1978, according to a new study. Nearly one in three children in the US lives with a divorced, separated, or never-married parent, and the definition of "family" is rapidly changing: 6% of children live with parents who cohabitate, but decided not to marry, the AP reports. More»

Tomorrow's Real Prize? State Legislatures

Forget Congress: It's governorships and state chambers that count

(NEWSER) - As tomorrow’s election looms, most are focused on which party will control next year’s Congress—but the big prize is really state legislatures, writes Nick Baumann in Mother Jones . A party that gains a “trifecta—control of the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature”—can “draw congressional districts within that state unencumbered by any need to compromise with the other party.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Maine Gov Signs Gay Marriage Bill

State the fifth to OK nuptials as Baldacci signs measure quickly

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

gay marriage • marriage • veto • Maine • state legislature • governor

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Cuomo Turned Gay Marriage Into Personal Mission

New York governor pulled all the strings masterfully

Brad: We're Considering Marriage

...kids keep asking, so 'it's something we've got to look at'

In France: Screw Marriage, Give Me a Civil Union

Partnerships simplify breakups, avoid religious ties

4 in 10 Say Marriage Is Becoming Obsolete

And 'family' can include unmarried couples, most believe

Tomorrow's Real Prize? State Legislatures

Forget Congress: It's governorships and state chambers that count

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Maine Gov Signs Gay Marriage Bill

State the fifth to OK nuptials as Baldacci signs measure quickly

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

gay marriage • marriage • veto • Maine • state legislature • governor

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Cuomo Turned Gay Marriage Into Personal Mission

New York governor pulled all the strings masterfully

Brad: We're Considering Marriage

...kids keep asking, so 'it's something we've got to look at'

In France: Screw Marriage, Give Me a Civil Union

Partnerships simplify breakups, avoid religious ties

4 in 10 Say Marriage Is Becoming Obsolete

And 'family' can include unmarried couples, most believe

Tomorrow's Real Prize? State Legislatures

Forget Congress: It's governorships and state chambers that count

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?