Prop. 8 Redux: Maine Gay Marriage Battle Heats Up

Supporters, opponents of repealing law seek to mobilize voters
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 20, 2009 5:59 AM CDT
Prop. 8 Redux: Maine Gay Marriage Battle Heats Up
Participants march with a 900-foot-long rainbow flag during the Southern Maine Pride parade, Saturday, June 20, 2009, in Portland, Maine.    (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

As Maine gets ready to decide whether to repeal its law recognizing gay marriage next month, activists on both sides of the argument are ramping up their efforts. Activists and funds are pouring into the state from across the country in what many see as a repeat of California's battle over Proposition 8 last year, the Los Angeles Times reports. Supporters of gay marriage are ahead in fundraising but most polls predict a very tight vote.

Opponents of gay marriage have, as they did in California, been airing ads claiming that the law requires "the teaching of homosexual marriage to young children in public," a charge Maine's attorney general says has no basis in fact. Supporters, meanwhile, are accused of portraying their opponents as hate-mongers. Analysts say most people's minds are already made up on the issue, and both sides are focused on making sure their supporters turn out to vote on November 3.
(More Maine stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X