Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Gay Marriage fails in Maine

This shows of course, how at odds a population can be, with it's legislators, Governors and Presidents. That has wider implications beyond the marriage issue.
FoxNews - "Gay marriage has now lost in every single state -- 31 in all -- in which it has been put to a popular vote. Gay-rights activists had hoped to buck that trend in Maine -- known for its moderate, independent-minded electorate -- and mounted an energetic, well-financed campaign.

'The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation,' declared Frank Schubert, chief organizer for the winning side.

Gay-marriage supporters conceded early Wednesday.

'We're in this for the long haul,' said Jesse Connolly, manager of the pro-gay marriage campaign. 'For next week, and next month, and next year -- until all Maine families are treated equally. Because in the end, this has always been about love and family and that will always be something worth fighting for.' "
Like the "Healthcare Issue," Same Sex Marriage will be back. I'm sure they're disappointed, and as I say repeatedly, I am not in favor of a Same Sex Marriage law in this country, and as always, the flip side of the coin is the opportunity it presents for polygynists.
ABC News - "Maine would have been the sixth state in the country to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, but instead becomes the 31st state to oppose the unions in a popular vote.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting as of 2 a.m. today, gay marriage opponents claimed 53 percent of the vote to supporters' 47 percent."
For those who only support heterosexual monogamy as the only form of marriage, this is not really that good a piece of news. Only 3% of Maine's electorate needs to change it's mind. The numbers were similar in California for Prop 8.

This leaves New Hampshire (the law becomes effective January 1st, 2010) and Vermont as states that have passed a Same Sex Marriage law, by some extension of the will of the people. Vermont's legislature had to override a veto to do it, and probably would pass the law if it were submitted to referendum. I can't speak for New Hampshire.

Vermont Polygamy will be publishing more, soon, as the Raymond Jessop trial winds down, as as a few leads pan out. In both Vermont and New Hampshire only one word needs to be changed in their laws to make Polygamy legal. These are ideal states for such activity since the new laws intents are more easily challenged in court, to gain legal acceptance of one of the oldest forms of marriage.