Maine’s new freedom to marry law, which allows same-sex couples to receive a marriage license, will take affect on Saturday, Dec. 29.

According to the Office of the Secretary of State, the certified election results for the state were signed off on by Gov. Paul LePage on Thursday, Nov. 29. The new law becomes effective 30 days from that date.

“The long wait for marriage for same-sex couples in Maine is almost over,” says Betsy Smith, the executive director of EqualityMaine. “Before the end of this year, all loving and committed couples in Maine will be able to stand before their friends, family and community and make a lasting vow to be there for one another.”

On Nov. 6, Maine became the first state to allow committed same-sex couples to receive a marriage license through a popular vote of the people.

While the law allows for same-sex couples to marry, there are a number of questions remaining concerning the implementation of law and the implications of potential action today in the U.S. Supreme Court concerning federal marriage law.

GLAD and EqualityMaine will make more information available concerning Maine’s first same-sex marriages when it becomes available. Planning is underway for an informational webinar to take place later this month.

GLAD has written an overview of the new law, which can be found at www.gladlaw.org.

Anyone with questions about the law or issues related to marriage in Maine can contact GLAD’s Legal InfoLine at 800-455-GLAD or www.gladlaw.org/rights.

“There is much to celebrate as we move closer to marriage for same-sex couples in Maine,” says Lee Swislow, the executive director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. “We will continue to work closely with state officials and with couples who want to get married to answer as many questions as we can about Maine’s new law.”

Maine Question 1, An Act To Allow Marriage Licenses For Same-Sex Couples And Protect Religious Freedom, was approved by the voters 53 to 47 percent.

This Act:
• Repeals the provision that limits marriage to one man and one woman;
• Authorizes marriage between any two persons who meet the other 
marriage requirements of state law;
• Specifies that a marriage between two persons of the same-sex in another state that is valid in that state is valid and must be recognized in Maine; and
• Provides that a member of the clergy is not required to perform and a religious institution is not required to host or perform a marriage in violation of religious beliefs, and that refusal cannot be the basis for a lawsuit or legal liability, and
will not affect the tax-exempt status of the religious institution.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) is celebrating today’s ballot vote in favor of marriage equality for same-sex couples in Maine, with the passage of Question 1: “Do you want to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples?”

“Tonight we are thrilled, grateful, and humbled,” said Lee Swislow, Executive Director of GLAD.  “We give our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the people of Maine for listening with open hearts and minds, and embracing equality for gay and lesbian citizens.”  She added, “Mainers United for Marriage ran a superb campaign, and I can’t praise all of the campaign staff and volunteers enough.”

Mary L. Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director and a Maine resident said, “Winning marriage in Maine is profoundly important to those of us living here, including me and my family.  Now we can expect to see an outbreak of happiness, as couples – whether together for months or decades – can finally make that commitment to one another.  I am very proud of Mainers for sharing their concerns, hearing our stories and finding the common ground to vote yes.”

An initiative approved by the voters becomes effective 30 days after the Governor proclaims the results of the election.  The Governor’s proclamation can come up to 10 days after the Secretary of State completes tabulating the election results.  The Secretary has up to 20 days to complete those tabulations.  So the earliest that marriage licenses will be available to same sex couples will be 30-plus days and at most 60 days after the election.

GLAD salutes its coalition partners EqualityMaine, Maine Women’s Lobby, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, and EngageMaine, as well as national partner organizations Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Task Force.

The road to marriage equality began 6 years ago with a coalition decision to proceed with public education efforts and marriage legislation. In 2009, Maine became the first state to pass marriage equality legislation and have it signed by a governor.  The victory was rescinded in November 2009 when voters approved a ballot question vetoing that law before it went into effect.  The coalition regrouped, ran a two-year public education campaign, and decided in January 2012 to proceed directly to ballot.

Marriage equality has been won in other states through courts (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa) and through legislatures (the District of Columbia, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York).  GLAD brought the ground-breaking Massachusetts lawsuit, Goodridge kont Depatman Sante Piblik la, as well as the Connecticut lawsuit Kerrigan kont Depatman Sante Piblik la.

Mainers who have questions about when and how they can marry, can contact GLAD’s Legal InfoLine at 1-800-455-GLAD or gladlaw@glad.org.

Mainers have said YES to marriage equality and soon all Mainers will be able to marry the person they love.

“Tonight we are thrilled, grateful, and humbled,” says Lee Swislow, GLAD’s Executive Director.  “We give our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the people of Maine for listening with open hearts and minds, and embracing equality for gay and lesbian citizens. Mainers United for Marriage ran a superb campaign, and I can’t praise all of the campaign staff and volunteers enough.”

Mary L. Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director and a Maine resident adds, “Winning marriage in Maine is profoundly important to those of us living here, including me and my family.  Now we can expect to see an outbreak of happiness, as couples – whether together for months or decades – can finally make that commitment to one another.  I am very proud of Mainers for sharing their concerns, hearing our stories and finding the common ground to vote yes.”

An initiative approved by the voters becomes effective 30 days after the Governor proclaims the results of the election.  The Governor’s proclamation can come up to 10 days after the Secretary of State completes tabulating the election results.  The Secretary has up to 20 days to complete those tabulations.  So the earliest that marriage licenses will be available to same sex couples will be 30-plus days and at most 60 days after the election.

GLAD salutes its coalition partners EqualityMaine, Maine Women’s Lobby, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, and EngageMaine, as well as national partner organizations Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Task Force.

The road to marriage equality began 6 years ago with a coalition decision to proceed with public education efforts and marriage legislation. In 2009, Maine became the first state to pass marriage equality legislation and have it signed by a governor.  The victory was rescinded in November 2009 when voters approved a ballot question vetoing that law before it went into effect.  The coalition regrouped, ran a two-year public education campaign, and decided in January 2012 to proceed directly to ballot.

Mainers who have questions about when and how they can marry, can contact GLAD’s Legal InfoLine at 1-800-455-GLAD or www.gladlaw.org/rights.