Maine Legalizes Homosexual 'Marriage'

Governor Baldacci signed Bill LD 1020 less than an hour after the state legislature approved it, putting to rest speculation that he might veto the legislation.

AUGUSTA, Maine (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Maine Legislature and the state's Democratic governor John Baldacci gave final approval to same-sex "marriage" this afternoon.

Governor Baldacci signed Bill LD 1020 less than an hour after the state legislature approved it, putting to rest speculation that he might veto the legislation. Baldacci had said earlier this week that he was opposed to homosexual "marriage" but was uncertain whether he would veto the bill.

"I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully. I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage," Baldacci said in a statement.

"I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste. I think Maine people should be proud of the way this has been handled."

In reference to his personal feelings about the legislation, Baldacci said "Under the Constitution, we are all the same. Times have changed."

The bill may still be overturned by a referendum, as happened in California last year.

"Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people," Governor Baldacci stated.

Maine is now the fifth state in the U.S. to allow same-sex "marriage", following Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa and Vermont.

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