Opponents of gay marriage in Maine are
preparing to submit a referendum that would yank back the right of
gay men and lesbians to marry in the state – even before the
legislation has become law.
A gay marriage bill in the Augusta
Statehouse would make the Pine Tree State the fifth to legalize gay
unions. The state Senate approved the measure with a 21 to 14 vote
on Thursday. Members of the House and Maine Governor John Baldacci,
a Democrat, must also approve the bill for it to become law.
(Baldacci has recently dropped his opposition to gay marriage, but
has not said whether he would veto the law should it reach his desk.)
Gay marriage foes have already
committed to its repeal. Mike Heath, head of the Maine Family Policy
Council, announced the effort in an email Friday.
“Maine's Legislature will eliminate
civil marriage by the end of May. We have started a People's Veto,”
the group's website says. “Maine people twice rejected 'gay'
rights in the past decade. Homosexuality is very sad, and sinful.
Maine must not create a culture that winks at something so
debilitating on so many levels. To present this 'orientation' as
benign to impressionable children is the height of arrogance, and
surely qualifies as evil.”
Under Maine law, voters can challenge a
bill with a people's veto. To place a measure on the ballot this
November requires opponents turn in 55,087 valid signatures by
September 3 or 4 (at least 60 days before Election Day). Gathering
of the signatures cannot begin until after the Legislature has
adjourned, around July 17.
Heath is credited with two successful
efforts to overturn gay rights initiatives in Maine, in 1998 and
2001.
The Christian conservative made news
last September when he blamed the nation's financial crisis on gay
unions. Writing at his blog
(mikeheath.blogspot.com), Heath said amending state constitutions to
ban gay marriage, and eliminating domestic partnerships and civil
unions for gay and lesbian couples would make God “crack a smile.”
Opponents to the bill are likely to
face stiff resistance in Maine. Three New England states –
Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont – have already legalized gay
marriage. New Hampshire appears likely to follow suit. Polling
indicates that opposition to gay rights has subsided considerably in
all six states.