Gay marriage ”“ one of the most hotly divisive issues of our time ”“ is expected to come back to the ballot again in Maine this November, after petitions were submitted last week.
Most will recall the vote in 2009, when the Legislature chose to legalize gay marriage and it was later defeated by people’s veto. As with other civil rights issues of the past, it seems gay marriage is bound to keep coming up until equality is the status quo. The coalition supporting gay marriage is moving forward once again, boosted by more than 105,000 signatures of residents who want to see another vote.
After all the hubbub of 2009, voters have had more time to consider their positions and discuss their concerns with others, and the polls show that enough Mainers may have changed their minds to make it a winning bet this time around. Nationally, Gallup polling in 2011 showed, for the first time, that public opinion in favor of same-sex marriage had exceeded opposition, 53 to 45 percent, so supporters feel this is the time, especially with the high voter turnout expected for the presidential election.
The wording this time around is more clear, simply adding same-sex couples to the list of those allowed to be married in the State of Maine ”“ and adding explicit wording that no religious entity will be forced to officiate or recognize such marriages.
It seems, when all the rhetoric is boiled down, that wherever you stand on homosexuality, the issue of gay marriage comes down to one thing: Freedom. If two consenting adults are in love and want to make the ultimate commitment to one another, government has no place telling them that they cannot do so, whether it be because of their sex, race, health or any other factor. Freedom to choose who you marry is a hallmark of a progressive, free society.
This is also a freedom of religion issue because some churches do choose to recognize gay marriage, but are prohibited from truly doing so at this time due to the law. The proposed law change would allow those churches to perform legally valid gay marriage ceremonies, while protecting the rights of other churches to refuse.
The difference between religious marriage and a civil marriage cannot be stressed enough as we head into this vote. All couples must get a marriage license in order to be recognized by the state and federal government, a process that is completely separate from any religious ceremony. If this law change is passed, the benefits and responsibilities of marriage will be open to same-sex couples at the state level ”“ but if they want that union blessed by a religious congregation they will have to take that additional step, just as any heterosexual couple would. Marriage is a social, rather than strictly religious, institution.
For the average heterosexual, it really has no effect whether the gay couple next door is married or not, but for them, the ability to marry changes their lives and relationship forever. Anyone who’s ever been married knows that it changes your identity. Marriage lends legitimacy to the union of two people, making them a family instead of a co-habitating couple. Society as a whole does not suffer from marriage, but rather is strengthened by it ”“ it’s what communities are built around. And while some would argue that studies show it’s best for children to be raised by a father and mother, that’s simply not the situation in many homes nowadays, whether the parent(s) are heterosexual or not. Four thousand same sex couples are living in Maine today, according to studies, with hundreds of them raising families. Many more Maine families are made up of single-parent households. Gay marriage won’t change any of that.
In addition, marriage grants certain rights and privileges ”“ affecting hospital visitation, property deeds, tax breaks and medical leave ”“ that simply shouldn’t be denied to committed couples. Of course, federal rights would still be out of reach for gay couples, but that is a separate battle to be fought.
Expanding marriage could even be a boost to our ailing economy, via the wedding industry. According to a Williams Institute study conducted in 2009, allowing same-sex marriage could result in an estimated net gain of $7.9 million to state coffers. Not only would Maine couples marry, but it is expected that many would come from away to celebrate in our fair state.
Some laws are put into place to protect us from ourselves and each other, but some are just outdated. As a society, we’ve expanded our thinking on marriage before ”“ marrying at an older age as education took precedence, having customized civil ceremonies, women retaining their own names and interracial unions. It’s time to get open minded again and extend equal rights to all Mainers.
All you need is love.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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