Gay Marriage? Could It Really Happen? (hotels, weddings, income)

[kamorra2]

The same arguments against gay marriage were previously made against bi racial marriages. Just because something isn't outlined in the Bill of Rights doesn't mean there isn't an inherrant underlying equality that should be extended to everyone regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. I have found in my life that you either have an open heart or you don't. I believe in Maine that the majority of the people here have a non judgementel live and let live attitude. I believe they will pass gay marriage in Maine. I applaud the people of Maine for having it on the ballot.

One of my favorite quotes:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

[corgis]

Originally Posted by kamorra2

The same arguments against gay marriage were previously made against bi racial marriages. Just because something isn't outlined in the Bill of Rights doesn't mean there isn't an inherrant underlying equality that should be extended to everyone regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. I have found in my life that you either have an open heart or you don't. I believe in Maine that the majority of the people here have a non judgementel live and let live attitude. I believe they will pass gay marriage in Maine. I applaud the people of Maine for having it on the ballot.

One of my favorite quotes:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

Excellent post - well said!

[Coaster]

To answer the original question, Senator Dennis Damon has submitted a bill that would allow gays to marry under the law. The same bill also guarantees that churches cannot be forced to marry a same-sex couple if it violates the church's tenets. (That's been an issue in some other states, I understand.)

Marriage gives the partners certain legal rights that they don't have as cohabiting individuals, including inheritance, medical access, and tax advantages. (Also property division and alimony in the inevitable divorces that will follow.) Damon's bill essentially takes the religious aspect of marriage out of the equation.

At the same time, Republican leader Josh Tardy is proposing an amendment to the Maine Constitution that would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. So the stage is set for some political fireworks at a time when we can least afford them.

My prediction FWIW: Damon's gay marriage bill will pass. It will either include a provision for a statewide vote or it will be challenged by a people's veto petition drive to force a referendum vote. If past experience is any guide, gay marriage may lose the first vote, but it will be brought back again in two years and will win.

Not to take this off track, but Canada's gay marriage law is being used in a court challenge by two polygamists to argue that their lifestyle should also be legalized.

[Elcarim]

This really has absolutely nothing to do with personal convictions. This, in my mind, is a simple question of equal rights. If you tell me these two people over here can get married, but those two over there cannot, that is NOT equal rights.

And I don't think that laws should be written and founded on biblical principle. Unless we all believe and practice our faith the same way, there would never be equal rights for all.

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by kamorra2

The same arguments against gay marriage were previously made against bi racial marriages. Just because something isn't outlined in the Bill of Rights doesn't mean there isn't an inherrant underlying equality that should be extended to everyone regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs. I have found in my life that you either have an open heart or you don't. I believe in Maine that the majority of the people here have a non judgementel live and let live attitude. I believe they will pass gay marriage in Maine. I applaud the people of Maine for having it on the ballot.

One of my favorite quotes:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

This has absolutely nothing to do with civil rights or personal liberties granted by the Creator, or limiting the power of Government under the Bill of Rights.

[Coaster]

Very much agree, Elcarim, but laws incorporate and "legalize" a moral code that is largely shared with (and historically based on) many religions. It's difficult to find a major faith that doesn't say "thou shalt not steal" or "thou shalt not murder." So there's some major overlap that inevitably ends up having religious connotations for some people. I think that's where a lot of conflict over gay marriage originates. But that's just IMO.

Setting aside the church involvement, as Damon's bill does, brings the issue down to civil law, and then it becomes a matter of semantics. Marriage or civil union or lifetime partnership or whatever we want to call it: they mean the same thing and have the same effect. And there's no good logical reason to limit it to these two people and not offer it to those other two people.

[broadbill]

Originally Posted by dmyankee

This has absolutely nothing to do with civil rights or personal liberties granted by the Creator, or limiting the power of Government under the Bill of Rights.

Trolling?

Just because this particular civil right isn't mentioned in the Declaration of Independence or Constitution, it doesn't mean it isn't a civil right. Nobody said that these documents contained an all-inclusive list of civil rights.

[Cornerguy1]

Moderator's Note:

Here's the deal, folks.

The subject of gay marriage is hot-button topic and tends to evoke responses based on deep-rooted emotions and beliefs.

That being said, the original topic dealt with the possibility of gay marriage becoming possible in the state of Maine.

This is a state forum designed to handle state-specific discussions, and so, the original topic is quite acceptable for this forum.

What isn't acceptable for this forum is a discussion encompassing the larger questions of religious acceptability, Christian principles, etc.

Those who wish to discuss what is likely a very important topic by restricting their posts to the state-centered issues of gay marriage are welcome to do so.

Members who wish to discuss the larger question of the acceptability of gay marriage based on conflicting religious beliefs are invited to take those discussions over to Politics or Religion.

Members who choose to ignore this request and insist on hijacking the thread away from the original topic will have their material deleted and receive the appropriate TOS infractions.

Thanks for everyone's cooperation.

We now return you to regularly scheduled programming.

[elston]

Church marriages have nothing to do with this as far as I can see. I can have a full church wedding performed by my clergyperson in Saco Maine, next week if I so chose....my church isnt the hinderance it is the current laws of the state of Maine.

The civil rights assured to citizens of Maine seem to me to apply:
Equal Protection Under the Law
Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Seperation of Church and State

In response to the OP.....I think it will come to pass here...but maybe it will take awhile ..... I can wait; I moved to Maine not expecting it to sanction my marriage....even though it would be nice...I have made my commitment and it is unchangable and not subject to Maine's sanction. Maine may or may not catch up with Love. From what I have experienced since I moved here....I think it will.

[corgis]

If Maine were to allow same sex mariages would they be like Massachusettes? How many other states allow gay marriages? Wouldn't this put Maine on the "cutting edge" of reform with only a handful of other states?