Voters failed. They failed to give equal rights to gay couples. Again.
Maine voters repealed a law allowing same-sex marriage by 53 percent Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. In May, the Legislature passed the law, which Democratic Gov. John Baldacci signed.
The vote is reminiscent of Proposition 8 that passed in California last year by 52.3 percent.
“Gay marriage has now lost in every state ? 31 in all ? in which it has been put to a popular vote,” the AP reported. “Gay-rights activists had hoped to buck that trend in Maine, framing same-sex marriage as a matter of equality for all families in a campaign that used 8,000 volunteers to get out the message.
“Five states have legalized gay marriage ? Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut ? but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote.”
And while Proposition 8 advocates donated millions more than opponents, Maine same-sex advocates outspent opponents by a wide margin, according to National Public Radio. Gay rights supporters had a good campaign, but Maine voters didn”t listen or agree.
Yes on Proposition 8 campaign advertisements inflamed voters, making them think churches would have to marry gay couples or teachers will instruct kindergartners that same-sex couples can marry. My public school kindergarten teacher didn”t talk much, if at all, about marriage and I doubt any other does. Churches would not be required to marry gay couples if Proposition 8 or the Maine referendum failed.
The problem is that voters listen to commercials and friends” false and sourceless information rather than reading the voter”s pamphlet and, say, a newspaper.
Irrational thinking cannot just be a problem of education. I know plenty of people who haven”t graduated from college that can reason using reputable sources and don”t spread misinformation. But passing a critical thinking course and getting a bachelor”s degree or more couldn”t hurt.
College or no college, voters should take the time to investigate candidates and ballot issues before voting. If I don”t know enough about an issue or candidate, I don”t vote on it.
It seems the Maine Legislature and the California Supreme Court has more sense than voters, which is really quite sad. The average voter should aim to be just as objective and thoughtful as any senator or judge. Why would anyone want to act and vote irrationally?
While about 600,000 voters in California pushed Proposition 8 to yes, about 1,000 swung Lake County to a 52-percent yes vote.
People need to recognize that same-sex marriage is an issue of equality, not a blessing of the relationship.
Opponents of legalizing same-sex marriage have outnumbered supporters since the Pew Research Center starting polling on the issue, the center reported. In October, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released a study that found 53 percent of Americans oppose allowing same-sex couples to marry, a matching number to the Maine election. The study also found 57 percent of Americans would support same-sex unions that give couples the same rights as married couples.
So are we really fighting about a word?
Yes.
People of every sexuality, color and background should have the same rights. Just by looking at the title of Proposition 8 ? Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry ? voters can see they are taking away rights from a citizen.
There are no excuses for denying humans equal rights. Advocate to allow same-sex marriage in the United States.
Katy Sweeny is a staff reporter for the Record-Bee. She can be reached at ksweeny@record-bee.com or 263-5636, ext. 37.
