Both sides reflecting on Question One in aftermath of repeal

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | November 5, 2009 at 04:49 am

103 views | 4 Recommendations | 0 comments

PORTLAND, Maine

In the aftermath of the repeal of gay marriage in the bellwether state of Maine, both sides are reflecting, and looking to the future.

The gay marriage advocacy groups are vowing to continue their civil rights battle, determined to "stay the course".

Conversely, the proponents of traditional marriage are hoping that Maine has set the precedent for Voter referendums to repeal gay marriage in states like Massachussets and discourage it in others, such as New York, New Jersey, and Oregon.

- Tearful supporters of same-sex marriage vowed to continue their fight in Maine yesterday after voters narrowly shot it down, while newly energized opponents pledged to preserve traditional marriage here and nationwide. . .
. . . Although devastated by the loss, gay-rights advocates said same-sex marriage is inevitable, pointing to Vermont’s progression from allowing civil unions in 2000 to marriage this spring. Massachusetts was the first state to permit gay marriage in 2003, and New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Iowa have followed.

Several other states, from New Jersey to Oregon, have made accommodation for gay couples, including permitting civil unions and passing antidiscrimination laws.

“Here we are in a civil rights struggle,’’ said Mary Bonauto, an attorney with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders in Boston. “What do we do in a civil rights struggle? We pick ourselves up and we stay the course.’’

But opponents of same-sex marriage said the vote added to what they said was an overwhelming national chorus against gay marriage and could fuel efforts to overturn gay marriage in other states, including Massachusetts. Maine is the 31st state where voters rejected same-sex marriage, and the first where voters repealed a state law.