About 20 Republican leaders have joined
Republicans United for Marriage, a group working to legalize gay
marriage in Maine.
Marriage equality supporters are
returning the issue to the ballot box after voters in 2009 narrowly
repealed a marriage law approved by lawmakers with a “people's
veto,” known as Question 1. If approved, Maine would become the
first state to legalize such unions with a popular vote.
State Rep. Stacey Fitts, a Republican
from Pittsfield who voted against the gay marriage law in 2009,
headlined the group's debut during a press conference held at the
State House on Monday.
“I voted against same-sex marriage in
2009, but I changed my mind,” he said. “I know some gay people
and I've talked with them and my family, and I've thought about it a
lot. As a husband and a father, I've come to believe that two people
who love each other should have the freedom to get married.”
“This is about the fundamental right
to marry the person you love without the government getting in the
way,” said Senator Meredith Strang, the lone GOP co-sponsor of the
2009 bill.
Rev. Bob Emrich, a leader with Protect
Marriage Maine, the group working against passage of marriage
equality, dismissed the group, saying, “There are no leaders in the
group.”
“The Republican Party has recognized
that marriage is between a man and a woman since 1856. These are
liberal Republicans. I don't know why these people call themselves
Republicans,” Emrich told the Morning
Sentinel.
Republican support for gay nuptials is
increasing. For example, New York's marriage equality law, which
celebrates its first anniversary Tuesday, would not have passed
the state Senate without GOP support.
According to a recent poll, 57 percent
of Mainers support legalizing gay marriage, while 35 percent remain
opposed.
(Related: Maine
churches fundraise against gay marriage on Father's Day.)