Maine Voters Repeal Same Sex Marriage Law: Maine Voters vs Maine Legislators Rejects Gay Marriage

The state of Maine has repealed their law allowing same-sex marriage. The lesson: when "the people" are allowed to vote, the outcome is often very different from what was legislated.

Maine Voters Repeal Gay Marriage
A law was passed by the Maine legislature last Spring, but "put on hold," after a petition drive was launched for a repeal referendum by Stand for Marriage Maine.

The outcome Tuesday marked the first time voters had rejected a gay-marriage law enacted by a legislature. When Californians put a stop to same-sex marriage a year ago, it was in response to a court ruling, not legislation.

Five other states have legalized gay marriage - starting with Massachusetts in 2004, and followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa - but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. In contrast, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage have been approved in all 30 states where they have been on the ballot.

With the repeal of the state of Maine's law allowing same-sex marriage last night, gay rights activists have now lost in every state that has offered the question to the voter.

The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation," declared Frank Schubert, chief organizer [Stand for Marriage Maine] for the winning side.

Graphic credit: Produced by Maria Godoy / NPR