Maine Voters Reject Gay Marriage

State Law Torpedoed in Devastating Blow to Gay Rights Community in Heart of New England

(AP)  Updated at 2:37 a.m. Eastern.

Voters in the northeastern state of Maine repealed a state law that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed, dealing the gay rights movement a heartbreaking defeat in the corner of the country most supportive of gay marriage.

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.

With 87 per cent of the precincts reporting, gay-marriage foes had 53 per cent of the votes.

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

Wash. Domestic Partnership Vote Still in the Air

Gay-marriage supporters refused to concede, holding out hope that that the tide might turn as the final returns came in.

"We're here for the long haul and whether it's just all night and into the morning, or it's next week or next month or next year, we will be here," said Jesse Connolly, manager of the pro-gay marriage campaign. "We'll be here fighting. We'll be working. We will regroup."

At issue was a law passed by the Maine Legislature last spring that would have legalized same-sex marriage. The law was put on hold after conservatives launched a petition drive to repeal it in a referendum.

The outcome Tuesday marked the first time voters had rejected a gay-marriage law enacted by a legislature. When Californians put a stop to same-sex marriage a year ago, it was in response to a court ruling, not legislation.

Five other states have legalized gay marriage - starting with Massachusetts in 2004, and followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa - but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. In contrast, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage have been approved in all 30 states where they have been on the ballot.

The defeat left some gay-marriage supporters bitter.

"Our relationship is between us," said Carla Hopkins, 38, of Mount Vernon, with partner Victoria Eleftherio, 38, sitting on her lap outside a hotel ballroom where gay marriage supporters had been hoping for a victory party. "How does that affect anybody else? It's a personal thing."

The contest had been viewed by both sides as certain to have national repercussions. Gay-marriage foes desperately wanted to keep their winning streak alive, while gay-rights activists sought to blunt the argument that gay marriage was being foisted on the country by courts and lawmakers over the will of the people.

Had Maine's law been upheld, the result would probably have energized efforts to get another vote on gay marriage in California, and given a boost to gay-marriage bills in New York and New Jersey.

Earlier Tuesday, before vote-counting began, gay-marriage foe Chuck Schott of Portland warned that Maine "will have its place in infamy" if the gay-rights side won.

Another Portland resident, Sarah Holman said she was "very torn" but decided - despite her conservative upbringing - to vote in favour of letting gays marry.

"They love and they have the right to love. And we can't tell somebody how to love," said Holman, 26.

In addition to reaching out to young people who flocked to the polls for President Barack Obama a year ago, gay-marriage defenders tried to appeal to Maine voters' pronounced independent streak and live-and-let-live attitude.

The other side based many of its campaign ads on claims - disputed by state officials - that the new law would mean "homosexual marriage" would be taught in public schools.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, voters in Washington state voted on whether to uphold or overturn a recently expanded domestic partnership law that entitles same-sex couples to the same state-granted rights as heterosexual married couples. With half the precincts reporting, that race was too close to call.

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, voters approved a measure that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation.

CBSNews.com Election Night Coverage:

Results
All Election Night 2009 Results
Republicans Sweep N.J., Va. Gov. Races
N.Y. Democrat Owens Wins House Seat
Maine Voters Reject Gay Marriage
Breckenridge, Colo., Votes to Legalize Pot

Analysis
What McDonnell's Win Means for the GOP, Obama
Corzine's Fall Has Been Festering for a While
What Doug Hoffman's Loss Means to Conservatives
Lessons for the White House from '09 Election Results
Why Christie Won in New Jersey
McDonnell Won Due to Turnout, Independents
Exit Polls in Va. and N.J.: The Obama (Non) Factor?

[armyoftwelve]

Of course, this article neglects to mention death threats to Mike Heath and Marc Mutty made by same-sex advocates. This is what the whole sodomocracy debate has come down to. Look, if you don't like living in a democracy and can't abide by a popular vote GET OUT OF THE FRIKKEN COUNTRY!.

[Imlistening]

Black America doubted that White America was "ready" for a black president. Remember? Surprise! It wasn't about race (and still isn't). America is not overrun with homophobes. The Obama administration is destroying years of work by the gay community. Their "in your face" combative attitude is worse than the Bush administration on "W"'s dumbest day. Gay leadership is going to have to convince America that "solving" this issue will not create exponentially greater problems down the road. Our young president lacks the moral conviction of his campaign rhetoric. Surprise!

[Imlistening]

Intelligent voters are not rejecting gay marraige. If this were about simply recognizing the legality of same sex unions, gays would be allowed to marry in all fifty states. These referendums are about the agenda behind the issue. Gay rights proponents will not be happy until every first grade primer has gay/homosexual/lesbian/bisexual/transgender/ "diversity" section with a cute story about two guys who fall in love at the North American Man Boy Love Society convention. This issue will continue to frustrate the gay community until their leadership realizes that tolerance is a two way street. I'm retired military and yes, it is time to end "don't ask don't tell". America doesn't have a problem with your "gayness". It has a problem with you politics.

[bearkaz]

skyk if it were true that YOUR SIDE is not interested in pushing its "morality" on anyone, then how come you go into our schools to teach OUR kids that we are evil people because your views on sexuality are good and mine are wrong, evil, bad, blah blah blah?

If you are so free of the desire to inflict your morality on all of us, so that the entire nation is living according to YOUR moral code, then what is this whole gay marriage thing all about? Why don't you just work out a deal whereby gays marry lesbians for the benefits, then have open relationships? the answer appears to be, because you can't stand living in a world where the group you call "the American Taliban" is allowed to get away with beliefs that offend you. You think you are the one entitled to decide on behalf of all of us what's right and what's wrong.

[gayboy43]

Why is a civil rights matter put to a popular vote? Issues involving women or blacks or hispanics for example are not put up for a vote. Civil marriage is a civil right.

[armyoftwelve]

Why that's mighty undemocratic of you.

A marriage is between ONE man and ONE woman. We can talk about accomodating alternative lifestyles, but that doesn't include redefining a basic social relationship to make some people feel better about themselves.

[bearkaz]

Civil marriage is a civil right. You can get married, unless there is some reason you can't or shouldn't be having babies with the person you want to marry.

you can't marry your sibling, for instance.

If gays married, the law would automatically assume that if either got pregnant, the baby would be the child of the other. Since the gay couple is by definition not a couple capable of sexual reproduction, it is safe to assume that any such scenario would involve fraud.

[gayboy43]

Why is a civil rights matter put to a popular vote? Issues involving women or blacks or hispanics for example are not put up for a vote. Civil marriage is a civil right.

[molly767]

It makes me sad,to think people in this day and age are still bais.this isnt about, what goes on behind closed doors. this is about equal rights.

[armyoftwelve]

Gee. I'm sorry you don't have any common sense and don't know what a marriage is. It's a crying shame. I even prayed for people like you and it just didn't take.....

A marriage is between ONE man and ONE woman. Just ask Marc Mutty.
We can talk about accomodating alternative lifestyles, but that doesn't include redefining a basic social relationship just to make some people feel better about themselves.

[Unconcerned]

Open minded people will never take you seriously if you link Bin Laden and Jesus together. And to throw the T-word around so casually does not help either.

[hockeymom441]

People who oppose the union of 2 people (gay or not)in love will face a judgement of their own some day.

Shame on all of you haters in Maine.

Since when should we put blatent discrimination on a voting ballot. I don't care if only one person voted in favor of gay marriage, that one person should be allowed it.

Can we vote all the fat people out of their rights too! Sloth is a sin that no one seems to mind. So is hating and judging - that's god's job.

[armyoftwelve]

Take a look at the horse you're riding and realize that you aren't as high as you think you are. You think folks are "haters," well maybe those people think you're kinda stupid....

A marraige is between ONE man and ONE woman. We can talk about accomodating alternative lifestyles, but that doesn't include redefining a basic social relationship just to make some people feel better about themselves.

[AlwaysSmiling]

My favorite line of the entire article has got to be this:

"The other side based many of its campaign ads on claims - disputed by state officials - that the new law would mean "homosexual marriage" would be taught in public schools."

Ummmmm... Pull your heads our of your Bibles for a minute and take a good look around. Even if "homosexual marriage" is not being officially taught in schools, EVERY SINGLE CHILD knows what it is and has an opinion on it.

If you survey all of the kids who are 17 to 24, and ask them if they have 1) ever made out with someone of the same sex and 2) how they feel about homosexual relationships, the majority will answer "Yes" and "I don't think it's bad". Now, if you ask their parents those questions in relation to their kids (Do you think that your kid has ever 1) made out with someone of the same sex and 2) How your kid feels about homosexual relationships), you will get "No" from the majority (if not the entire panel) and "They are against it." from the majority.

Would you rather it be taught in schools, where there can be influence and control over what is said, or would you rather they learn about it on the Internet? Oh wait. You probably don't allow your children anywhere near computers...

[bearkaz]

I don't believe that you have earned the right to teach my children that my views on sexuality are inferior, or that yours are right and natural and proper.

You want that right? Then persuade me.

Incidentally I don't care if you make out with members of the other sex. I know kids today have done lots of things, including kinky stuff, and stuff that involves underaged kids, and all sorts of things that happen when kids are told that sex is for recreation. But when a third of those kids end up with a child, they'll learn the truth - about just what "harmless fun" recreational sex is, and they'll learn what marriage is really for when they see how much fun it really is trying to force some young man to pay child support, when that young man thought he was indulging in something recreational and harmless.

[AlwaysSmiling]

For the people who are against Gay Marriage, I have a couple of words of wisdom for you.

1. God may punish them for homosexuality if he chooses. HOWEVER, since your name is not Jesus Christ, and you are not born of a virgin mother, I don't think you have any right to inflict what punishment YOU think that HE will pose. I believe the saying goes "Let he who hath NO sin cast the first stone."

2. Consider this. If two partners are together, and one doesn't work outside the house (meaning doesn't have their own health insurance), what happens if that person gets sick? IF they are "married" and the insurance company recognizes it, then they pay their own bills and insurance costs. HOWEVER, if they are not "married" and thus no insurance company will let the other one cover the sick person, YOU GET TO PAY FOR THE EXTRA HOSPITAL BILLS. Just like if it were me, who's straight and uninsured, going to the hospital, or if it's an illegal alien going to the hospital.

Personally, I think that all of you who use the Bible (which is a book written by MAN) to justify your ignorance and religious zealotism, will have a special place outside of the Gates to Heaven. It will have a sign that says "Close, but no cigar." And under that it will say "Remember all of the passages where I have said 'Love one another as I have loved you'???? Obviously you forgot them when you were still on Earth. So, sit out here and contemplate the true meaning of those words for a while."

[PGB8]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Well said!!

[armyoftwelve]

You toss around words like "ignorant" and "zealous," nice of you to insult people. Those same people think you're kinda stupid and don't have enough common sense to know what a marriage is.

A marriage is between ONE man and ONE woman. Maine voters jsut said so. California voters also had their say a few months ago.

[bearkaz]

armyoftwelve, didn't you know? everyone who doesn't agree with them, it's just because of ignorance.

Once you and I learn as much as they know, we'll understand why they're so much smarter than we are. You'll just see. It couldn't POSSIBLY be that maybe we know anything they don't know, cuz they've already established that we're ignorant bigots, and we don't deserve the right to have a voice in the policies of this nation, because we aren't in favor of equality for all.....

(and remember: cognitive dissonance only happens to other people...)

[Iamthemango]

"Our relationship is between us," said Carla Hopkins, 38, of Mount Vernon, with partner Victoria Eleftherio, 38, sitting on her lap outside a hotel ballroom where gay marriage supporters had been hoping for a victory party. "How does that affect anybody else?"
___________________________________

Exactly. Be married in your own world and stop bothering us with this.

It is personal, which is why most Americans should be asking ourselves why this issue keeps getting foisted upon us when it is obvious there is no support for this measure among the vast majority.

Gay marriage became a cause celebre among wealthy (mostly male - it's still a man's world regardless of orientation) left-wing liberals and media darlings spoiling for a fight against post-Bush religious conservatives. Radical chic rises from the ashes to advocate gay marriage.

Gays deserve the right to share wealth and resources with their partners, and most Americans wholeheartedly would support major overhauls and expansion of the current civil union laws.

If the gay activists are wise, they'll shelve this marriage push for now and wait until a more favorable time.

[AlwaysSmiling]

It's getting foisted on us because there are legal rights attached to married people, which are being denied to them-- simply because they are not a traditional couple.

So, either we have to recognize their marriages (and thus confer upon them the same rights as heterosexual couples) or we have to rewrite the legislation to allow for them to have the same rights without the marriage title... Which would be easier?

And this goes a lot further than the right to share wealth and resources. Unless you consider things like Health Insurance as one of those resources.

Just to clarify, I'm a heterosexual, straight, somewhat religious, person who would probably say they're more in the center than either wing. And I would consider myself conservative overall. It doesn't affect me directly, so why should I have an issue with them having it?

[armyoftwelve]

A marriage is between ONE man and ONE woman. We can always talk about accomodating alternative lifestyles....

Same-sex "marriage" in Masssachusetts has not led to an avalanche of such marriages. The issue here is about redefining a social relationship to affirm someone's alternative lifestyle choice---that is not what the law is there for.

Doing the easy thing is no substitute for careful and thoughtful deliberation with LOTS of public input. We can talk about civil unions for same-sex couples and decide what they should look like, but they are not equivalent to a marriage.

[bearkaz]

those legal rights are to enable couples to start a family.

that means a man and a woman. those benefits are NOT there for you to share with your baby's step-parent, while your baby's real mama or real dad is someone your child isn't allowed to ask about.

[bearkaz]

the reason why marriage is necessary, alwayssmiling, is because women need taking care of when they are having a baby, and the rightful one to do it is the baby's father.

that is a situation that doesn't apply to gays

[Apostle_Allen]

Once again as I stated earlier to your reply, now we know who really needs "mental" help. Follow your own advice. Many people like you choose to "reject" not "deny" the existance of God because your heart is prideful & callouse and your mind is warped and depraved. Your lives are fortified and rooted in this dying world. Jesus the Christ is right when He said in His Word, "you MUST be born again". Repent and surrender your will to Christ while you still can. You have been warned.

[hungry1968-17]

You need a "myth-illogical" being to tell you the difference between right and wrong, and you claim someone else needs mental help?

Funny too how you resort to terrorism to make your point, regarding how religion makes you so morally superior. ("You have been warned.") Jesus, Allah, and Bin Laden must be very proud of you.

[millibug]

AMEN...AMEN...AMEN!!

[millibug]

"And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper (comparable to him.)"

" Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: "This is now bone
of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, (a man with a womb), because she was taken out of Man." "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Genesis 3: 18,22-24

"If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination." Leviticus 20:13 "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination." Leviticus 18:22.

How much simplier can it get? God in His infinite wisdom of creation,
specifically meant Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.

[Surelyoujest]

Yea, and God said to Abraham you will kill your son Isaac.
And Abraham said "I can't hear you.
You'll have to speak into the microphone.
And God said "Oh, I'm sorry. Is this better?
Hey Jerry, pull the high end out. I'm still getting some hiss back here.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

Leviticus? Really? Talk about your ambiguous texts.

God also meant Adam and Pat.

[AttentionDeficit]

millibug: quoting the bible is only valid to those who accept the bible.

[icjunior97]

I hate to be one that breaks this news to people

BUT there is something going on with "typical" marriages that have nothing to do with gay people.

Fact:
51.5% of marriages dont make it to 7yrs
Out of the people who do make it to 7yrs
48.9% of those people will not make to 15yrs.
Less than 30% make it to 20yrs.

You know what threatens marriage- DIVORCE

[armyoftwelve]

One battle at a time....No one said they weren't willing to challenge "no-fault" divorce laws. But that isn't the issue in question for this particular story.

[bearkaz]

And you know what causes divorce? the belief that marriage is about "being fulfilled" - and that being responsible, and having obligations to your family, is dull and boring and only stodgy old coots care about such things.

Maybe your expectations about what marriage is supposed to "do" for you are unrealistic. Maybe it's time to admit that the reason we need marriage is because it stinks trying to have kids without any family to support us. Maybe then we would go back to reminding our kids to choose their mate wisely, to assume it's for life (not just so long as it happens to Feel Good) and to assume that when the rough times come, you work through it instead of just abandoning ship in the quest for pleasure.

[endurorob_5]

saturn05 November 4, 2009 11:08 AM EST
So does god what??? I betcha he is as disgusted with humans as I am. All of the ignorant, hateful people who want to dehumanize another group because they hate them. And don't say anit-gay marriage idiots don't hate. I feela ton of anger at the people who voted in Maine and I feel sorry for all of the people affected by this unconstitutional vote destroying the rights of a group of people. Good job Maine, you showed your ignorance by voting against a group of people because of your own personal beliefs. If there are any blacks in this group, I think I will start a group to vote out your right to vote and marry and on and on and on. I am very liberal, but fair is fair.



Guess what saturn. people normally vote based on their own personal beliefs. Even those who voted for gay marriage voted based on their own personal beliefs. And from the tone of your post you are one of those hateful people you despise so much.

[Sloughfoot]

Election fraud by the GOP in an otherwise Dark-Blue State can be the only reason for this. I demand a recount , no another vote next week is the only way to settle this.

[endurorob_5]

Do you have proof of election fraud or are you just pissed it didn't go your way?

[armyoftwelve]

There really isn't much of a GOP in Maine these days and the few that are left are so liberal most of them wanted same-sex "marriage."

[saturn05]

This is a very sad day for all Americans. How can one group vote to take a way a human right of others. I find this repulsive and unconstitutional. I say let's take away the right to vote from the blacks. It is only fair.

[endurorob_5]

There were no rights taken away from gays.

[PGB8]

"endurorob_5" Because they NEVER HAD THEM in the first place!! Stupid.

[Virgil-1]

So does God!

[saturn05]

So does god what??? I betcha he is as disgusted with humans as I am. All of the ignorant, hateful people who want to dehumanize another group because they hate them. And don't say anit-gay marriage idiots don't hate. I feela ton of anger at the people who voted in Maine and I feel sorry for all of the people affected by this unconstitutional vote destroying the rights of a group of people. Good job Maine, you showed your ignorance by voting against a group of people because of your own personal beliefs. If there are any blacks in this group, I think I will start a group to vote out your right to vote and marry and on and on and on. I am very liberal, but fair is fair.

[newz4me]

How gays were hung in Maine: http://gay.americablog.com/2009/10/maines-catholic-church-donations-to.html

[endurorob_5]

They were hanging gays in Maine? Do you have photographic evidence?

[armyoftwelve]

What that story omitted was the fact that the Unitarians and UCC both lined up in favor of this initiative. The Diocese of Portland didn't do anything the UU's and UCC didn't do.

Anyway, the NO on 1 campaign raised TWICE the amount of money that Stand For Marriage did. The YES side won because enough "little guys"
showed up and VOTED!!!