BOSTON — Supporters and activists routinely ask gay couples to meet with reluctant lawmakers to put a human face on same-sex marriage. They file lawsuits. They use unexpected allies — in some cases, churches — to spread their message. It’s a strategy that has shown results, with state bans falling in courts at a brisk […]
gay marriage
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Gay weddings to add $7.9 million to Maine economy
PORTLAND — Kandis Stanley married her girlfriend Jen Gibson at Portland City Hall this week. Moments after the couple from Louisiana said, “I do,” they drove to Portland Head Light for nuptial photos. With Maine’s oldest lighthouse as a backdrop, a lonesome foghorn sounding and cold winds whipping off the Atlantic, the two were frigid, […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
1,530 gay couples married in Maine in 2013
AUGUSTA — Seven years ago, Bev and Sue Uhlenhake of Brewer were married in a big wedding in the Dominican Republic, though when they came home to Maine their marriage was not legal. Then, in December 2012, same-sex marriage became legal in Maine after the state’s voters approved a citizens initiative calling for gender-neutral marriage […]
Posted inLetters
EL students: Legalize gay marriage nationally
In 1924, a group of gay students in a high school were shunned, teased and even beaten for being “out” about their sexuality. In 2011, Jamey Rodemyer, a 14-year-old boy from Buffalo, N.Y., killed himself. He was bullied constantly for being gay. His biggest wish was LGBT equality. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts was the […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Lew Alessio: Not much has changed ’round here
With all the squawking in last November’s election, things are pretty much the same. A year has passed. Shards of the sky do not litter sidewalks and fields across the state of Maine. The death knell has not tolled across our counties decrying the demise of the institution of marriage. The vehement and virtuous among […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
NJ Gov. Christie drops challenge to gay marriage
LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. — Gov. Chris Christie has dropped his appeal to legalized same-sex marriages in New Jersey. In an email, the governor’s office says it submitted a formal withdrawal to the state Supreme Court Monday morning. Last month, a lower-court judge ruled that New Jersey must recognize gay marriages starting Monday. Gay couples began exchanging […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Court wins draw big crowds to gay pride parades across the nation
SAN FRANCISCO — Gay rights supporters crowded parade routes in San Francisco, New York and other major U.S. cities Sunday to celebrate what once was unimaginable — two Supreme Court victories on same-sex marriage. The high court gave celebrants one more reason to cheer Sunday when Justice Anthony Kennedy rejected a last-ditch effort by opponents […]