Gay Marriage

Residents of Maine will determine whether their state will be the first in history to continue to allow same-sex marriage through popular vote.  Maine voters will decide Tuesday whether to repeal a law that allows same-same marriages.  The referendum has caused a buzz around the country, with millions of dollars coming in from out-of-state.

The gay-rights movement has already suffered a set back with Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriages in California last year.  If the law in Maine is repealed, the gay-rights movement will have suffered yet another major loss.  Many proponents of gay-rights consider New England most receptive to gay marriage, so a ban in Maine may prove to be crippling.

Proponents of gay marriage claim that the issue relates to all families, gay or straight, as a ban on marriage would impact the human right of marriage.  Opponents claim that gay marriage could be dangerous, and that domestic laws could give homosexuals other legal rights.  The problem is, then, that marriage provides benefits that other same-sex arrangements do not.

There are currently five other states that have legalized gay marriage without repeal.  Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Iowa have all legalized gay marriage by way of court and legislation.

Advertisements in Maine have surfaced showing parents complaining about their children being taught in school that gay marriage is normal.  Advocates, however, claim that the law would have no effect on school curriculum.

The vote proves to be a major event for both sides.  Gay marriage advocates are aiming to break through with their first popular vote, while gay marriage opponents look to hand the gay-rights movements another big loss.