FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2012
AUGUSTA – Voters in Maine approved a ballot measure today that would grant same-sex couples the freedom to marry and access to all of the state rights afforded to married couples.
“Maine voters chose freedom over fear”, said Shenna Bellows, executive director of the ACLU of Maine and member of the campaign’s Executive Committee. “Our work continues, but this win confirms that one-on-one conversations with friends and neighbors can effect statewide change. This victory was grounded in courage and freedom of speech by thousands of people who dared to tell their personal stories over and over again.”
The ACLU has been a leader of efforts to pass same sex marriage in Maine for the last seven years. With more than half the precincts reporting, the measure is ahead 51%-49%, making Maine the first state to approve marriage for same-sex couples through a ballot initiative.
"With this historic election, there can be no denying that tonight is a watershed moment for gay and lesbian families in America," said James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. "Not long ago, marriage for same-sex couples was unimaginable. In a remarkably short time, we have seen courts start to require the freedom to marry, then legislatures affirm it, and now the people vote for it as well. Today’s election illustrates both the astonishing pace of change on this issue as well as America’s commitment to fairness for everyone.”
Six states plus Washington, D.C. already allowed same-sex couples to marry, three other states recognize marriages of same-sex couples performed elsewhere, nine states have full domestic partnerships or civil unions and three more states have more limited domestic partnership registries.
“In a time of great division in our country, this campaign presented countless opportunities to unify regardless of our party affiliations or religious beliefs,” said Jill Barkley, ACLU of Maine Marriage Project Coordinator and organizer of Republicans United for Marriage. “Engaging countless faith leaders and people of all political affiliations who support the freedom to marry is part of the ACLU’s legacy in this historic election.”
Under Jill Barkley’s leadership, the ACLU of Maine organized statewide Republican support for Yes on 1. In 2009, the ACLU of Maine organized religious leaders for the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination and Catholics for Marriage Equality, which became independent entities. Both efforts demonstrated the ACLU’s philosophy of working with people of all political and religious affiliations.
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