The City of South Portland, Maine has
approved a resolution in support of Question 1, the ballot question
which seeks to legalize gay marriage in the state.
At its Monday meeting, the South
Portland City Council approved the resolution with a 5-1 vote.
“The City of South Portland embraces
legal equality and fair treatment for all residents, including the
freedom to marry,” states the resolution. “Marriage equality
ensures that the same dignity and recognition is bestowed upon all
couples residing within the State of Maine.”
“Though the citizens of the city of
South Portland may have varying views about marriage according to
their personal or religious beliefs, it is nevertheless a fundamental
and uniting principle of the city that all people are entitled to
equal rights.”
Passage of the resolution makes South
Portland the third city to endorse Question 1, joining Bangor and
Portland, The
Portland
Daily Sun reported.
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repealed a marriage law approved by lawmakers with a “people's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.” If approved on November 6, Maine would become the first
state to legalize gay nuptials by referendum.
While surveys consistently show
supporters leading – by as much as 22 points – pollsters caution
that as a rule of thumb undecided voters generally wind up voting
“no,” making the race a toss up.
(Related: Maine
gay marriage proponents outraise foes.)