HRC Blog

Marriage Equality in Maine: “The Way Life Should Be”

April 23, 2009

Jeremy Kennedy, our regional field organizer, has been working in Maine to help pass a marriage equality bill. He sent us this update on Wednesday's public hearing on the bill in Augusta:

Yesterday, over 4,000 people packed the Augusta Civic Center in Maine for the public hearing on the marriage bill. When passed by the legislature, the bill would grant the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in the state of Maine. The day began with the sponsor of the marriage bill, Senator Dennis Damon testifying before the Joint Judiciary Committee. Senator Damon told the committee: “I have faith in you, for you are the sons and daughters of Lady Liberty and Madame Justice. You will not forget it’s fair, it’s right, it’s time.” Damon’s testimony set the tone for almost 12 hours of testimony for those supporting and opposed to the bill. The day was a huge success for the LGBT community and Equality Maine, with supporters of the bill outnumbering opponents by large margins. Supporters wore red to symbolize their support of the bill. As they arrived at the Civic Center at 6:30 am, they were greeted by volunteers who had them sign postcards for legislators in support of the marriage bill and they wore stickers that said: “Marriage Equality: The way life should be”. Young and old, couples and families, gay, lesbian, and straight people filed into the hearing with excitement and anticipation. One supporter said that she never thought that she would see this day in her entire life. Over 200 people gave their testimony to the committee, who will vote on the bill over the next few weeks. The bill will then move to the Maine legislature. The day was an amazing display of the overwhelming support for fairness and equality for LGBT people in the state of Maine!