Not going away

The National Organization for Marriage is complaining that lesbians and gay men in Maine have qualified an initiative to make same-sex marriage legal there.  Their concern is that we, ourselves, say civil rights shouldn’t be voted on.  What hypocrites we are!

But Maine’s legislature passed a same-sex marriage bill in 2009, and NOM and its allies pushed for an ultimately successful referendum to have the law annulled.  If they’re willing to go to the people to deny us our rights, why wouldn’t we carry the fight to the same battle ground?

So yes, civil rights shouldn’t be put to a vote, but if that’s the only option we have, then that’s the one we’ll exercise.  Voters are allowed to change their minds, and it sounds like Maine’s voters are doing just that.  NOM may want us to ignore that, but we’re not going away.

6 Comments for “Not going away”

  1. posted by Tom Scharbach on

    So yes, civil rights shouldn’t be put to a vote, but if that’s the only option we have, then that’s the one we’ll exercise.

    Dead right, David.

    My anti-marriage hypocrite-of-the-day, though, is Portland’s Bishop Richard Malone, who dropped $500,000 into the 2009 referendum fight (the Portland diocese was the largest financial contributor, by far, to the Stand for Marriage Maine PAC) and then basked in a standing ovation at the US Bishops’ Conference after marriage equality was defeated.

    Yesterday, his spokesman, Brian Souchet, had this to say: “After the bitterly divisive campaign of 2009, in which Maine people clearly and decisively voted against changing the meaning of marriage, we’re dismayed that they would bring this issue back for yet another vote.

    Jesus, Joseph and Mary! Just who funded the “bitterly divisive campaign of 2009”, anyway?

    This will be interesting to watch play out politically, too. Before the question goes to the voters, the question goes to the legislature as a bill for an up-or-down vote. If, as expected, the Republicans (20-14 majority in the Senate, 78-72 in the House) vote the bill down, then and only then does the question goes to voters. Want to bet that the vote is along party lines?

  2. posted by Houndentenor on

    For over 30 years the gay community has been overwhelmed by ballot initiatives in various states and cities. It’s been a never-ending battle, and one we lost most of the time. The tide is turning on gay rights and suddenly groups like NOM are about to be on the receiving end of costly campaigns that suck up all their resources. Payback is a bitch.

    • posted by Tom Scharbach on

      In the long run, absent a decision from SCOTUS, we have no choice but to use the referendum process to undo the anti-marriage amendments, state by state, over the next 10-15 years. As philosopher king Donald Rumsfeld observed, “You fight the war with the Army you have …

      We’ve got a lot to do this year, in addition to Maine:

      MARYLAND – Democratic Governor Martin O’Malley has made marriage equality a top legislative priority. Democrats have the necessary votes in the Senate (the measure pass 25-21 in 2011), but it is not clear that the measure will prevail in the House. In 2011, the bill was deferred to the 2012 legislative session by the House, and several roadblocks will need to be overcome to bring the matter to a vote in the House this session. As was the case in Maine in 2009, anti-marriage forces are expected to seek a statewide referendum if marriage equality becomes law.

      MINNESOTA – Voting more or less along party lines (a few Republicans broke ranks), the Minnesota legislature passed an anti-marriage amendment that will be voted on in the November. Public opinion about marriage equality is closely divided (within the margin of error) and the outcome uncertain. Republicans expected the anti-marriage amendment to motivate the base, as in 2004, but the tactic may backfire, if not for Republicans, then for anti-marriage forces. The amendment must recieve a majority of total votes cast in the election to pass, and voters who cast ballots in the Presidential election but don’t vote on the amendment effectively count as “No” votes. So we don’t need to garner a majority of “No” votes, but only make sure that a majority of the folks voting in the election don’t vote “Yes”.

      NEW HAMPSHIRE – Republicans have introduced a bill in the House repealing marriage equality. The bill is in committee. The bill will be vetoed by Governor John Lynch. It is not certain Republicans can muster an override majority, but it seems likely. Republicans hold a 19-5 advantage in the Senate (16 votes needed for override) and 294-103 in the House (267 needed to override). Polls indicate strong opposition (62-29) to repeal. If marriage equality is repealed, we will have to get to work to undo the decision, as in Maine.

      NEW JERSEY – Democrats introduced a marriage equality bill that has a strong chance of passing. Republican Governor Chris Christie has pledged to veto the bill. Two Republicans in the Senate and four Republicans in the House will be needed to override Christie’s veto. New Jersey newspapers are reporting that Christie will enforce party discipline to ensure that his veto stands, so it seems unlikely that Christie’s veto will be overridden. Christie issued a statement urging the legislature to put the issue to the voters in a statewide ballot measure, which seems unlikely, although shifting the focus from his veto to a referendum helps innoculate Christie from anger over the veto while preserving a record of opposition to marriage equality for either a VP run in 2012 or a Presidential run in 2016. Polls indicate that a majority (52-42) favor marriage equality.

      NORTH CAROLINA – North Carolina is almost certain to pass an anti-marriage amendment in May, when voters vote on a “nuclear option” amendment banning same-sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships. There is a glimmer of hope because Democrats are having a primary in the Governor’s race and the Republican Presidential race may be settled by May, evening out the relative turnouts, but glimmers are, well, just glimmers.

      WASHINGTON – Democrats introduced a marriage equality bill that now seems certain to pass, having gained enough public support in both House and Senate. Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire pledged to sign the bill. Anti-marriage forces are expected to seek a statewide referendum if marriage equality becomes law. Polls indicate 55-38 support for marriage equality if it becomes law.

  3. posted by Jorge on

    No, civil rights should not be put up for a vote.

    But legislating morality absolutely should. If you make the bed, you gotta lie in it.

  4. posted by TomJeffersonIII on

    How is the ballot measure going to be written? Maybe this is a silly question, but their have not been too many pro-gay rights ballot measures on a State ballot.

    • posted by Tom Scharbach on

      This is the text of the 2009 ballot initiative that repealed marriage equality: “Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?

      This is the text of the 2012 ballot initiative being certified: “Do you favor a law allowing marriage licenses for same-sex couples that protects religious freedom by ensuring no religion or clergy be required to perform such a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs?

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