Same-sex marriage before two legislatures

Maine has introduced legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry, making it the second state after New Jersey to introduce such legislation. The question, however, is whether either state is really any closer to passing the legislation.

I don’t know enough about Maine politics to know whether the bill — “An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom” — will go anywhere. But according to a letter from Shenna Bellows, executive director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, that was posted by Pam Spaulding on Pam’s House Blend, it could happen.

Democrats have a 20-15 majority in the State Senate and a 95-54 majority in the House. Some House Republicans are backing a constitutional amendment to ban marriage for gays and lesbians, but we’re hearing quiet support from unexpected allies on the right.

The referendum process, however, could mean a reversal if it comes to that, but we remain a long way off.

As for New Jersey, where Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, D-Mercer, has introduced a bill, it is unclear when — or even whether — the Assembly will get to hear it and discuss it.

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet