Marriage Equality on the Move!

Maine Governor Jon Baldacci signed LD 1020 today, legalizing same sex marriage throughout the state!

Governor Baldacci previously opposed same sex marriage (supporting civil unions, instead), but has since "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," according to a statement released from the Governor's office earlier today.

“This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State,” Governor Baldacci said.

On a related note, the District of Columbia is one step closer to marriage equality after the DC City Council okayed same sex marriage legislation at last night's heated council meeting!  Pending a 30-day review by the US Congress (who holds final say on DC laws...) and the signature of Mayor Adiran Fenty (generally viewed as an ally of the LGBT community), same sex couples in the District will hopefully be able to marry soon!

Congratulations, Maine!  Keep it up, DC!  And now on to the rest of the country...