FROM NEWS RELEASES
Maine Gov. John Baldacci has signed legislation today, May 6, making Maine the fifth state to grant the freedom to marry to same-sex couples.
The governor said: “In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions. 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.”
“We are thrilled with Gov. John Baldacci’s thoughtful and well-reasoned decision to sign this critical legislation,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. “This is a great day for Maine, and a great day for this country. With recent marriage victories in Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont, this action affirms the national momentum building for marriage equality”
“Gov. Baldacci signing of the marriage equality bill represents another historic step toward obtaining the security and protections of marriage for all loving, committed couples,” said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. “There is now important work to be done in Maine to safeguard marriage equality, and we salute Equality Maine and all whose tireless commitment to this work has brought us to this important day.”