Same-sex marriage in Maine

Part of the LGBT rights series
Marriage

Recognized

Civil unions or registered partnerships but not marriage
Minimal recognition
See also
Notes
  1. ^ a b Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.
  2. ^ Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.
  3. ^ Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.
  4. ^ a b Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.
  5. ^ Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.
  6. ^ a b c d e The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling.
  7. ^ A "declaration of family relationship" is available in several of Cambodia's communes which may be useful in matters such as housing, but is not legally binding.
  8. ^ Guardianship agreements, conferring some limited legal benefits, including decisions about medical and personal care.
  9. ^ Inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.
  10. ^ Courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.
  11. ^ Some cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.
  12. ^ Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse recognized for residency rights.
  13. ^ Hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.
  1. ^ a b Not yet in effect.
LGBTQ portal

Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in Maine since December 29, 2012.[1] A bill for the legalization of same-sex marriages was approved by voters, 53–47 percent, on November 6, 2012, as Maine, Maryland and Washington became the first U.S. states to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote.[2] Election results were certified by the Maine Secretary of State's office and the Governor of Maine, Paul LePage, on November 29.[3] Maine was the eighth U.S. state, excluding California which had constitutionally banned same-sex marriage, but still recognized prior marriages, to legalize same-sex marriage.

The 2012 referendum was a reversal of action on a similar bill three years earlier. On May 6, 2009, a bill to allow same-sex marriage in Maine was signed into law by Governor John Baldacci following legislative approval.[4] Opponents of the bill successfully petitioned for a referendum before the law went into effect;[5][6] voters rejected the law on November 3, 2009, in a "people's veto".[7][8][9] Until the referendum result rejected the law, it appeared that Maine would be the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage through the legislative process with a governor's signature, rather than following a judicial ruling. Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage by statute, but its legislature did so by overriding its governor's veto.[10]

Both U.S. senators from Maine, Republican Susan Collins and Independent Angus King, support same-sex marriage.[11][12]

  1. ^ Sharp, David (December 29, 2012). "Gay marriage law goes into effect in Maine". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
  2. ^ "Maine, Maryland Vote to Legalize Gay Marriage | TIME.com". Swampland.time.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  3. ^ Harrison, Judy (December 3, 2012). "Gay marriage law takes effect Dec. 29, group says". Bangnor News. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  4. ^ "An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom". Maine Legislature. Archived from the original on March 17, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  5. ^ "Gay marriage repeal on ballot — State — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine". Bangordailynews.com. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  6. ^ "People's Veto of Bill to Allow Same-sex Marriage Certified by Secretary of State". Maine.gov. September 2, 2009. Archived from the original on July 29, 2010. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  7. ^ "Bureau of Corporations, Elections, 2009 Referendum Tabulation". Maine.gov. November 3, 2009. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  8. ^ Michael Falcone. "Maine vote repeals gay marriage law". Politico.Com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  9. ^ "Maine rejects same-sex marriage law – CNN". Articles.cnn.com. November 4, 2009. Archived from the original on January 20, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  10. ^ "The Philadelphia Gay News – Maine OKs marriage". Epgn.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  11. ^ Moretto, Mario (June 25, 2014). "Susan Collins becomes fourth GOP senator to publicly support same-sex marriage". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  12. ^ "Angus on the Issues". Angus King for U.S. Senate. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.