Within 24 hours Maine legalizes same-sex marriage and Washington DC recognizes same-sex marriage

[liz_marcs]

It's official:

With the addition of Maine as the fifth state to perform and recognize same-sex marriage, 4 out of 6 New England states now issue marriage licenses to gays and lesbians.

That's right. More than half of the New England states now allow gays to marry.

Does my corner of the country rock or what? Go us!

Oh, and a bill making same-sex marriage legal is even now winding through the New Hampshire legislature. If it passes, that means 5 out of 6 New England states will recognize same-sex marriage be the end of 2009.

Rhode Island recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, but doesn't yet issue marriage licenses themselves. I suspect that Rhode Island will be a tougher nut to crack than New Hampshire, to be honest, in large part because the culture in the state is so heavily Catholic. However, Rhode Island is nothing if not pragmatic. They're gonna want a cut of those honeymoon dollars, so I honestly suspect that before 2010 is out, they're going to join the New England gang.

Is it possible? Is it really possible that all of New England will recognize same-sex marriage within the next 2 years? It's stunning that this actually might come true.

I remember this as a shit-fight to end all shit-fights in Massachusetts. The fact that more and more people are coming over to the side equality just boggles my mind. In a good way.

Just when I lose faith in humanity, something happens to always give it back to me.

In other news, Washington DC has joined Rhode Island on the list of places that recognize same-sex marriage from other jurisdictions, but doesn't issue marriage licenses for themselves. This should be interesting, because the U.S. Congress has to sign off on this. Which means that Washington DC is about to run right smack into DOMA.

We live in interesting times (in a good way) indeed.

Comments

[hilleviw.livejournal.com]

And here in California we await the verdict - literally - of the courts. Think Prop h8 was the end? No. Any day now, the court will either reinforce or overturn that hate-filled legislation. I think you know what I'm hoping for.

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

The problem with Prop 8 is that if the court finds in favor of the defense that it was a valid amendment of the state constitution, then there's nothing to over-turn. It's not just law, it's part of the fabric of our state at that point.

Of course, all it would take to change it back would be another move to create another amendment amending Prop 8. *shakes head* This is why California's constitution amendment system sucks.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

There are already signatures being gathered to put a repeal on the ballot in the next election. I don't know the url - heck, I'm in Canada - but I know the movement is underway!

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm sure there is.

And the year after there will be a petition to repeal the repeal.

And the year after that there will be a repeal of the repeal's repeal.

Stupid. *shakes head*

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

Yeah. But eventually there will be so many ordinary same-sex married couples that the ravers will run out of people to tug on their end of the rope. Look at the age demographics of even young evangelicals -- most of them don't think it's a big deal.

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

*nod* True, but it'll take decades for those people in the upper age brackets who oppose it as much as the young people support it to die off or stop caring and in that time California's system will let it not be settled.

I'm also a little concerned that if there is continuous back and forth then that'll harm the SSM equality movement as much as help it continue the fight.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Still - look at what's been happening on the other end of the country. Since Prop Hate went through, it hardly seems a month goes by that some other state doesn't recognize SSM or make it legal.

And don't forget--half the reason prop 8 passed was because of the disinformation campaign.

I'm just more hopeful, I guess. The case is still in court, and right now the tide is still shifting. Only 21% of Americans identify themselves as Republicans. That's a phenomenal shift.

[cuddlycthulhu.livejournal.com]

Since Prop Hate went through, it hardly seems a month goes by that some other state doesn't recognize SSM or make it legal.

True, but Maine will probably still have fighting about it as there's already talk of a campaign to do a citizen's veto (something their state allows) and, as proven with Prop 8, what can be given can be taken away.

Prop 8 passed, in part, because of the misinformation true, but how much was misinformation and how much was people simply allowing the misinformation to justify the opinions they already held?

I'm hopeful to but I'm trying to keep my feet on the ground. The New England states are fairly liberal or, at least, apathetic of one's personal life as long as it doesn't become a public spectacle. OK, TX, UT, the sourthern states, those will be the ones that drag on long after many of the other states come around.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

Oh, there'll always be a few crappy states, though Utah is apparently kicking around a civil-union idea to prove they aren't really bigots, and for legal protections that's better than nothing and at least a start.

I'd really like to see all marriage laws changed to civil union. The government can't possibly come up with a definition that makes everyone happy, so it should back down to the civil functions of property distribution and recognition of responsibilities to children. Get a civil license and have your own marriage ceremony, or none. Get the government out of a religious decision and religions out of government.

[msp-hacker.livejournal.com]

I hope Washington plows over DOMA like an out of control 18 wheeler.

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

Ah, yet another reason I love being a New Englander. :)

[imaginarycircus.livejournal.com]

I really need a People's Republic of Cambridge icon. YAY NEW ENGLAND! :D

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

One day at a time. We'll get there.

[sam-arkand.livejournal.com]

I have an urge to commission a Social Realist-via-Tom of Finland agitprop poster, with two tuxedoed,hunky men with joined hands (and tastefully matching wedding bands) as they stride purposefully towards the New Accepting America.

Onward, comrades!

Also, just attended my civil unioned gay sister and sister in law's baby shower. One month until unclehood!