Marriage Equality Heartbreakingly Defeated in Maine

The promise of Maine was a strong one, but in the end it wasn't strong enough to overcome the fear and lies championed by the opposition. With 93% of precincts reporting, marriage equality was defeated for the 31st time at the ballot box 52.77% to 47.23%, roughly the same numbers as Prop 8.

"Tonight, hundreds of thousands of Maine voters stood for equality, but in the end, it wasn't enough," said Jesse Connolly, NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality's campaign manager in a concession statement.

"I am proud of the thousands of Mainers who knocked on doors, made phone calls and talked to their family, friends and neighbors about the basic premise of treating all Maine families equally.

"And I'm proud of this campaign because the stories we told and the images we shared were of real Mainers -- parents who stood up for their children, and couples who simply wanted to marry the person they love.

"We're in this for the long haul. For next week, and next month, and next year-- until all Maine families are treated equally. Because in the end, this has always been about love and family and that will always be something worth fighting for."

Those images of real Mainers was the hallmark of the NO on 1 campaign. Unlike the opposition who either used out-of-staters or actors in their ads, the NO on 1 campaign used real residents with real stories to tell, explaining why marriage equality was so important to them.

At times it was questioned whether or not the campaign should bite back equally hard against the opposition's lies and attack ads, but Jesse Connolly and staff studied hard the failure of California's No on Prop 8 campaign which didn't use gay people in their ads and took forever to respond to the opposition's claims. Jesse and team adjusted that rule book and adapted it to Maine.

The Pine Tree State proudly boasts a strong libertarian population and attack ads don't sit well with them. The strategy was to rise above the fray of lies such as "homosexual marriage in schools" and stick to the "All Families Are Equal" and the "Live and Let Live" mantra Maine holds dear. They responded fast and quick, had a very impressive field campaign, creatively utilized the internet and the netroots (which I am proud to say I was a part of) and had over 8,000 volunteers.

But in the end, it wasn't enough.

This time.

Unlike California, whose voters amended the state constitution banning same-sex marriage, Mainers only threw out a law passed by its legislature and signed by the governor granting marriage rights to Pine Tree State's LGBT population.

Marriage equality in Maine will probably take a similar path that Maine's anti-discrimination bill took - it was passed three times by the state's legislature, was defeated twice by a people's veto whose campaigns were rain by fierce anti-LGBT forces, and it wasn't until the third time voters upheld the law. The video below gives a moving history of LGBT rights in Maine, including the defeats and wonderful victories.



A new marriage equality bill will likely appear before Maine's legislature and pro-marriage equality governor, John Baldacci, soon.

This is just a chapter in a long narrative, not just for Maine, but for the nation. In one year's time since the historical passage of Prop 8, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont all passed marriage equality either through the court or in the legislature. Currently, Washington D.C., New York and New Jersey are on the cusp of passing marriage equality legislation.

The tide is turning. One defeat does not mark the end. We dust ourselves off, learn from what worked and what didn't, and charge ahead.

Images by Rex Wockner.

Read responses:
GLAD
HRC
David Mixner, "Gay Apartheid in America"
LezGetReal (Boycott Lobster?)
Blabbeando
Nate Silver
Daily Kos, Eddie

MUST SEE VIDEO: Rachel Maddow Interviews Maine's Catholic Pro-Marriage Equality Governor

In her interview with the amazing Gov. Baldacci, Rachel referred to the Daily Kos poll. I have to admit, I'm trying to keep up with Maine. So much happening there and I hadn't had a chance to post it.

So here it is. (Click on the images below to enlarge)


This poll is consistent with other polls showing the two sides of Question 1 in a dead heat. At this point in the game, it's about GETTING OUT THE VOTE (GOTV!) It's calling our support base, who tends to not vote when it's not a presidential race, and getting them to the polls.

You can help by calling marriage equality supporters and reminding them to vote, vote, VOTE!

A little more on Catholic Gov. Baldacci. I wrote earlier that we can't judge people of faith with one fell swoop. I got some heat for sticking up for some Catholic church members who chose to stay in the church and still support us. But I think Gov. Baldacci is proof that we can't lump people together and judge them, just as we in the LGBT population don't like being broadly judged ourselves.

Here's the governor calling out the Yes on 1 campaign and their scare tactics:



Get. Involved. You can save marriage in your pajamas by simply taking a twenty minute training session from home and then calling Mainers and reminding them to vote. You could be instrumental in a historically monumental victory. Be a part of it.

ACTION: TAKE A STAND, FOLKS!

1. If you live far from Maine but are eager to make a difference, you can phone bank from home. Sign up at Call for Equality.
2. If you do live near Maine, go to Drive for Equality, where you can look for carpools in your area headed up to the Pine Tree State so you can volunteer and help Get Out the Vote!
3. If you actually live in Maine, VOTE EARLY! Not only will the NO on 1 campaign see a record of your vote, it will free you up on election day to help get supporters to the polls.
4. DONATE! You can do this no matter where you live.

Governor Baldacci Joins Maine Families in Bangor For Final GOTV Push For NO on 1

Great press release from NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality.

Bangor, Maine (October 27, 2009) – Governor John E. Baldacci together with Maine families and volunteers including area legislators and elected officials gathered today at the home of Sally Dobres in Bangor to urge Maine people to vote NO on Question 1.

"In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions," Governor Baldacci said. "I came to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage."

"The law guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine's civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government. The law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State," Governor Baldacci said.

"This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question," continued Governor Baldacci. “I did not come to my decision lightly or in haste. My responsibility as Governor is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing the legislation was the right thing to do.”

The event marks the beginning of the NO on 1 Campaign’s Get-Out-the-Vote program with thousands of volunteers all across the state contacting family, friends and neighbors to remind them to vote NO on Question 1.

Governor Baldacci recognized the tireless work of campaign volunteers, encouraging them to continue their efforts through November 3. He also recognized several area legislators present at the event and commended them on their thoughtful deliberations of the issue.

Although unable to attend the event, State Senator Chris Rector offered the following comments, “I voted for the marriage equality bill because it was clear that my constituents supported it. I also came to believe that it was the right thing to do for the state of Maine. The law should treat all Mainers equally, it’s that simple. I hope the law the Legislature passed is upheld on Nov 3rd.”

Ray and Connie Winship, retired teachers who live in Fairfield and currently co-chair the Waterville Universalist Unitarian Church Welcoming Congregation Program said their commitment to equality began in 1993.

“We’ve been speaking out all these years and will continue to speak out because we want Maine people to know that discrimination happens and we want them to know how much it hurts the victims and their families,” said Ray Winship. “Let’s prove, once and for all, that Maine won’t discriminate,” added Connie Winship.

Bev and Sue Uhlenhake, who have a one-year-old son, are disheartened by the challenge to the marriage equality law. Both women grew up believing that marriage is the foundation of a family and want that strong foundation for their own family. She believes that the vote is all about children.

“This vote IS about my child. Marriage equality will absolutely affect him. He deserves the right to have parents who are more than legal strangers. He deserves married parents, and that’s what I’m asking my fellow citizens of Maine to make happen today. It is now time to say NO. Say NO to inequality. Say NO to discrimination. Say NO to Question 1,” said Bev Uhlenhake.

According to NO on 1 Campaign manager Jesse Connolly, the Get-Out-the-Vote effort over the next seven days will involve thousands of volunteers across the state who will talk with friends and neighbors, staff phone bank operations, and knock on doors reminding supporters to vote NO on 1 for equality and fairness for all Maine families.

"The key to winning this election is getting our supporters out to vote. This is a true grassroots effort and we continue to be overwhelmed by the level of support and energy," said Connolly. "Mainers have dug deep, whether that's manning extra nights at our phone banks, double shifts knocking on doors, or writing another check.”

Maine Roundup: New Poll Gives Hope; NO on 1 Calls Out the Opposition; Gov. to Speak in Our Favor

New Polls Gives Hope But Shows We Need to Work HARD

With 8 days left until the election, anything can happen. Today's new poll shows us leading, with 53% rejecting Question 1 with 42% in favor with 6% undecided.

Yes, this is good news but the last days of a campaign are volatile. And the opposition will stop at nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, with its smear campaign to scare voters into stripping us of our rights.

Nevada Progressive puts it well - The Opposition Is Now Throwing Everything INCLUDING the Kitchen Sink at LGBT Families

We need to keep the lead. The number one way to win is to GET OUT THE VOTE. Get our supporters to the polls.

ACTION: Call marriage equality supporters and remind them to vote!

1. If you live far from Maine but are eager to make a difference, you can phone bank from home. Sign up at Call for Equality.
2. If you do live near Maine, go to Drive for Equality, where you can look for carpools in your area headed up to the Pine Tree State so you can volunteer and help Get Out the Vote!
3. If you actually live in Maine, VOTE EARLY! Not only will the NO on 1 campaign see a record of your vote, it will free you up on election day to help get supporters to the polls.
4. DONATE! You can do this no matter where you live.

NO on 1 Campaign Calls Out the Opposition's Bulls***

In a press release just sent out, the NO on 1 campaign calls out the hypocrisy of the Yes on 1's tactics and sleight of hand maneuvers, including NOM who is in court today trying to wiggle out of obeying Maine's campaign laws.

The NO on 1 campaign called on the Question 1 campaign to stop changing the subject and focus instead on its issues of lopsided funding by a national organization intent on hiding its donor base from the voting public. In fact, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the number one donor to the Yes campaign is in court today to stop any donor disclosure.

The NO on 1 campaign noted that instead of answering those questions, the Yes campaign turned its attack guns on Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree.

"It is both ironic and insulting that the Yes on 1 campaign tries to attack a citizen legislator who fully discloses her livelihood on the very day their largest donor is in court to hide its fundraising base from the Maine voting public," said Jesse Connolly, NO on 1 campaign manager.

According to Maine campaign finance reports, the Yes campaign has received more than $1.55M from the National Organization for Marriage which is essentially financing that campaign. Today, NOM is in federal court seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent Maine campaign officials from asking them to reveal its individual contributors.

Today, in another attempt to distract voters, the Yes campaign alleged that Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree did not disclose a short-term consultancy with the NO on 1 campaign. In fact, Pingree serves as a citizen legislator and makes her livelihood as a professional fund raiser for causes and organizations she supports. The NO on 1 campaign, operating on a full transparency basis both with Maine campaign officials and voters, revealed a $5,175 payment to Pingree on Oct. 7 in its latest campaign report.

"We engaged Hannah Pingree because she's a fundraising professional and she helped us for a short time," said Connolly. "Now, they've launched yet another baseless attack which is simply to cover up the big story today, that their number one donor doesn't want anyone in Maine to know where their money comes from. Do they honestly think we just fell off the turnip truck?"

These attacks from the Yes on 1 campaign are last ditch efforts to smear. As stated, Pingree is citizen legislator who consults. The Yes on 1 campaign has its own consultants, having paid anti-LGBT Rev. Bob Emrich $5,000.

But there also pitching a fit over Pingree because she's behind a huge GOTV (Get Out the Vote) effort on behalf of the NO on 1 campaign. And they're not liking it one bit.

Maine's Catholic Governor Baldacci to Speak Up for NO on 1

This is BIG news. Catholic Gov. John Baldacci, who was initially against marriage equality but realized he was wrong and signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage, will be urging voters to vote NO on Question 1.

From a press release:

Governor John E. Baldacci will join with families supporting marriage equality at the home of Sally Dobres, 270 French Street in Bangor, on Tuesday, October 27, at 9:30 a.m., to urge Maine people to vote NO on Question 1. Speaking to begin at 10:00 a.m.

The event marks the beginning of the NO on 1 Campaign's GOTV program with thousands of volunteers from across the state contacting families, friends and neighbors to remind them to vote NO on Question 1 for fairness and equality for all Maine families.

Who: Governor John E. Baldacci and Maine families

What: Discuss the importance of voting NO on Question 1 for marriage equality

Where: The Home of Sally Dobres, 270 French Street in Bangor

When: Tuesday, October 27, at 9:30 a.m. Speaking to begin at 10:00 a.m.

Contact: Dorian Cole, 207-272-5941, dorian@protectmaineequality.org

Spread the word!

More articles:

Maine Businesspeople Announce Coalition in Support of Marriage Equality

National Implications In Maine Marriage Battle

Maine Gov. Signs Marriage Equality Bill! Maine 5th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriage

Within an hour after the Maine senate approved the final version of the marriage bill with a 31-8 vote, Gov. John Baldacci signed the bill, legalizing same-sex marriage in Maine, making it the fifth state in the country to do so. (See Video of the signing)

From Gov. John Baldacci's Website, his official statement:

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today signed into law LD 1020, An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom.

“I have followed closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully,” Governor Baldacci said. “I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste.”

“I appreciate the tone brought to this debate by both sides of the issue,” Governor Baldacci said. “This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question.”

“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Governor Baldacci said. “I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”

“Article I in the Maine Constitution states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person’s civil rights or be discriminated against.’”

“This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State,” Governor Baldacci said.

“It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

“Even as I sign this important legislation into law, I recognize that this may not be the final word,” Governor Baldacci said. “Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people.”

“While the good and just people of Maine may determine this issue, my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do,” Governor Baldacci said.

Woohoo!

The law will take effect in 90 days at the end of the legislation session. However, opponents are working hard already to mount a "people's veto" campaign that would put the issue to a statewide vote in November.

Ellen Andersen on Bilerico Project explains a "people's veto" further, and its threat to marriage equality in Maine:

Laws in Maine usually go into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns (somewhere around the end of June). But before that 90 day period is over, opponents of a law can try to gather enough signatures--about 55,000 right now-- to force the measure to a public vote. If opponents get those signatures in on time, implementation of the law will be suspended until a referendum can be held. This provision is commonly known as a "people's veto."

Equality Maine reports that opponents are already geared up to gather signatures to force a ballot initiative against marriage equality. They are asking for support to build a strong campaign against them.

Maine House Passes Marriage Equality Bill 89-57

Three hours of debate in the Maine House ended with the passing of marriage equality bill LD 1020 with an 89-57 vote. The bill will now be sent back to the Senate, which passed a prior version for a final pending vote, most likely Wednesday.

What's even better is that the House rejected an amendment that would have called for a November referendum. Thankfully, the electorate will not be voting on someone else's rights.

Maine would join Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont if the proposal gets passed the Senate, which is likely, and signed by Gov. John Baldacci. The governor remains the biggest obstacle since so far he has remained undecided.

ACTION: It's not too soon to contact Gov. John Baldacci to voice your support for marriage equality.

Mailing Address
Office of the Governor
#1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0001

Phone
207-287-3531
207-287-6548 (TTY)

Fax
207-287-1034

Email

DO IT NOW!

Equality Maine reports that opponents are already geared up to gather signatures to force a ballot initiative against marriage equality. They are asking for support to build a strong campaign against them.

See earlier reports on today's hearing.