Maine lower house passes gay marriage.
The lower house of the Maine state legislature passed a bill on Tuesday that takes the northeasternmost U.S. state a step closer to being the fifth in the nation to allow same-sex marriage.
Maine’s Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted 89 to 57 to enact the proposal.
The bill now returns to the state Senate, which has previously approved it. If it passes there it will be brought to the governor for his signature.
Governor John Baldacci once opposed gay marriage but in April said he is keeping an open mind on the issue.
“Marriage is not just a bundle of rights, but is dignity and respect; it is full and equal citizenship; it represents a future of hope for gay and lesbian youth,” said Lee Swislow, executive director of Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, which has been lobbying for approval of same-sex marriage across the New England region. “We are hopeful that Governor Baldacci is hearing this, too.”
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