Gay marriage thrown out by all 31 U.S. states where it has been put to vote
By David Gardner, Mailonline
Voters in the U.S. state of Maine yesterday rejected a law allowing same-sex ‘marriage’. It means such unions have now been refused in all 31 states where the issue has been put directly to the electorate. The result in the north- eastern state – which is known for its moderate electorate – was hailed last night as a victory for traditional marriage.
‘The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation,’ said Frank Schubert, chief organiser for the winning side.
A heavy voter turnout defied predictions that an energetic, well-financed campaign by gay rights activists would buck the national trend.
The idea was rejected by 53 per cent of the vote.
Five other states have legalised gay ‘marriage’ – Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa – but all did so through legislation or court rulings.
At issue in Tuesday’s poll was legislation passed in Maine last spring to legalise same-sex ‘marriages’. The law was put on hold after conservatives petitioned for a referendum.
Opponents based many campaign ads on hotly disputed claims that the law would mean gay ‘marriage’ would be taught in schools.
Before the vote, leading campaigner Chuck Schott warned that Maine ‘will have its place in infamy’ if it allowed the law to stand.
The outcome was the biggest defeat for same-sex unions since California banned gay ‘marriage’ last year.
Although domestic partnerships have been recognised in Maine since 2004, that arrangement does not give gay couples as many legal protections as married couples.
Jubilant conservatives in Maine were last night discussing challenging the law in the five states where gay ‘marriage’ is allowed.
But the gay rights lobby was defiant. ‘We’re in this for the long haul. For next week, and next month, and next year – until all Maine families are treated equally,’ said campaigner Jesse Connolly.
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