Question 1: Same-sex marriage back before voters

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    For the second time in three years, voters are being asked to cast their vote on whether they support same-sex marriages in the state.
    Question 1 on the November ballot is a citizens’ initiative that reads “Do you want to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples?”
    A “yes” vote will legalize same-sex marriages in the state, while a “no” vote will continue the state’s current stand on the subject.
    Few questions have sparked as much debate as the same-sex marriage proposal. A bill allowing same sex marriages in the state was signed into law on May 6, 2009 by then-Governor John Baldacci, after it passed through the state legislature.
    According to the Maine Legislature roll call at that time, most of the Aroostook County delegates in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives opposed the enactment of the bill. Senators Troy Jackson (Allagash) and Roger Sherman (Houlton) both voted “no” on the final bill, while in the House, Representatives Bernard Ayotte (Caswell), Tyler Clark (Easton), Peter Edgecomb (Caribou), Charles Theriault (Madawaska) and Michael Willette (Presque Isle) all voted “no” on the bill.
    Only Reps. Richard Cleary (Houlton) and Patricia Sutherland (Chapman) voted “yes.”
    Before that measure could ever be enacted, however, opponents successfully filed a citizens’ petition seeking a public referendum to decide the matter. At the Nov. 3, 2009 polls, the state voted 300,848 (52.9 percent) in favor of repealing the law, while 267,828 (47.1 percent) opposed its repeal
    Fast forward three years and the question is back in front of voters once again.
    The same-sex marriage issue has sparked numerous debates nationwide. In 1996, the federal government enacted “the Defense of Marriage Act,” which prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and allows each state to refuse to recognize those marriages performed in states other than their own.
    Since 2004, six states — Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont — the District of Columbia and two Native American tribal jurisdictions have legalized same-sex marriage.
    Supporters of Question 1 state they are merely looking for equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation.
    “Opponents of the freedom to marry continue to wrongly argue that domestic partnerships or civil unions are a legitimate substitute for marriage. They are not,” said Matt McTighe, campaign manager for Mainers United for Marriage. “The word ‘marriage’ carries profound personal meaning for the couples and for others who instantly grasp its significance. Everyone knows what it means to be ‘married’ legally.”
    Maine does not have civil unions. Maine has a domestic partnership registry, which can provide limited protection for same-sex couples in matters of probate.
    Paul and Jeanette Rediker of Fort Fairfield have been featured in “Yes on 1” commercials seen throughout the state. In their commercial, the Redikers revealed one of their daughters was gay, which was difficult for them at first. But after consultation with a priest, who told them she was “the same person you loved yesterday,” the Redikers had a change of heart about same-sex marriages.
    “I would be very happy if my oldest daughter could get married at home,” Jeanette said.
    Opponents to Question 1 counter that if the law is approved, the foundation of marriage will be forever changed. According to the website http://protectmarriagemaine.com, “While same-sex couples in Maine already enjoy full legal rights, gay marriage activists are not satisfied. They have continued to organize, raise money and mislead voters into believing we can remove the very fabric of society — marriage — and nothing bad will happen. Unfortunately, when marriage is redefined there are significant consequences to individuals, small businesses, churches, couples and especially to children.
    “The 2012 campaign will be about the importance of marriage and the consequences to society if marriage is redefined. It is about educating voters that traditional marriage has served society well for thousands of years, and it is vital that we maintain marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”