Maine, Maryland First to Approve Same-Sex Marriage by Popular Vote

The 0 for 32 streak is finally over! After failing in the first 32 attempts to have same-sex marriages supported by popular vote, gay rights advocates can officially claim their first victories. Voters in Maine and Maryland approved measures that would affirm the legality of same-sex unions in their states. The issues were brought to popular votes after opponents of same-sex unions forced recently approved legislation to be voted on by the public.

Washington state is also expected to legalize same-sex unions, but the state won't have official election results for another day or two. In another victory for gay rights, Minnesota voted down an amendment that would have defined marriage in that state as possible only between a man and a woman.

This is big news as cases move toward the Supreme Court that may end up creating a precedent on which national legislation will be based. The evangelical Christian right and other religious groups remain staunchly opposed to same-sex marriage, as they view homosexuality as sinful and against the will of God.

Same-sex marriage advocates have argued that people should be afforded equal rights under the law, regardless of their sexual preferences. The many gay couples who have children have argued that their home environment will improve as their children come to understand their parents as a legally married couple. The LGBT community and advocacy groups are pointing to the victories in Maine and Maryland as a turning point in the quest for marriage equality.

The 0 for 32 streak is finally over! After failing in the first 32 attempts to have same-sex marriages supported by popular vote, gay rights advocates can officially claim their first victories. Voters in Maine and Maryland approved measures that would affirm the legality of same-sex unions in their states. The issues were brought to popular votes after opponents of same-sex unions forced recently approved legislation to be voted on by the public.

Washington state is also expected to legalize same-sex unions, but the state won't have official election results for another day or two. In another victory for gay rights, Minnesota voted down an amendment that would have defined marriage in that state as possible only between a man and a woman.

This is big news as cases move toward the Supreme Court that may end up creating a precedent on which national legislation will be based. The evangelical Christian right and other religious groups remain staunchly opposed to same-sex marriage, as they view homosexuality as sinful and against the will of God.

Same-sex marriage advocates have argued that people should be afforded equal rights under the law, regardless of their sexual preferences. The many gay couples who have children have argued that their home environment will improve as their children come to understand their parents as a legally married couple. The LGBT community and advocacy groups are pointing to the victories in Maine and Maryland as a turning point in the quest for marriage equality.