Marriage, Maps and Maine
The first marriages of same-sex couples in Vermont last Tuesday were just the impetus I needed to finish up our new marriage laws and relationship recognition maps. 
Like a 5-year-old with a new pack of crayons, I happily filled in states with blue (the color for marriage), green (for New York and D.C., which recognize out-of-state marriages) and yellow (the color of “all-but-the-name” civil unions and domestic partnerships, which grant the same rights and responsibilities as marriage). Even the grey states — which have some sort of “less-than-marriage” relationship recognition for same-sex couples — were satisfying, since adding them meant that there’s almost no region of the country without a state that recognizes our relationships. (Sorry Southerners, but you’ll get there!)
Then, after the burst of satisfaction, there was anxiety. What kind of crazy person could get anxious coloring in a map, you might ask. Well, I’ll tell you who: Me. And I’ll tell you why: The asterisks.
I had to add asterisks to the map to note the two states — Maine and Washington — where recognition granted to same-sex relationships will be up for a popular vote in November. Similar to what happened in California last year, voters in these two states could take back the progress that their legislatures made in the march towards equality. The asterisks mean that two big steps forward could wind up being two big steps back.
So these asterisks on my new map are giving me agita (and will until I’m watching the election results come in on November 3), but they’re also a challenge to each of us. These two elections don’t have to be a repeat of Prop 8. The Maine Civil Liberties Union is part of a coalition of groups fighting to keep marriage in Maine. They’re encouraging supporters of equality everywhere to take a “volunteer vacation” this fall and go to Maine to work on the campaign. Washington Families Standing Together, the coalition of groups (including the ACLU of Washington State) working to retain comprehensive domestic partnerships, is also looking for volunteers support. If you can’t make it to either corner of the country, the campaigns could use your financial support. (While you’re at it, encourage your friends to give as well!)
Losing marriage in California was a huge disappointment for our community, but the progress in Maine and Washington (not to mention Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and Nevada) have helped us regain our footing and realize that we’re still moving forward. Let’s not let our new progress become the next setback. Contact one of the campaigns today and find out what you can do to get involved. I promise you this: On November 3, you’ll be glad you did.
Sep 10th, 2009 at 9:19pm
My only problem is the cost to corporations to cover the cost of all partners, let alone opposite sex. But hell, let the feds. pay for our lifestyle. I believe 90% are born with same sex desires; and the 10% are prison related, and experimenting girls. I may be wrong; but so what. Why change the definition of old words to suit afew; and altering the description of other events to be comforting to all. Too thin skinned and sensative.
Sep 10th, 2009 at 10:28pm
Actually, domestic partnerships in California DON'T receive all the same rights married couples do. There are 1,138 rights domestic partners don't have the married couples do. The California Code states that domestic partners have the same rights as married spouses, but in practice these rights aren't protected. In CA we're still fighting for marriage equality--not just a name, but over 1,000 rights.
Sep 11th, 2009 at 2:25pm
It's good to see people standing up for equal rights for all.It's just too bad that so many gutless politicians try
to sit on the fence with their seperate but equal proposals for civil union.
Sep 11th, 2009 at 8:17pm
Maybe they are against gay marriage. It doesnt mean their gutless. Adam and Eve, no Adam and steve....
Sep 11th, 2009 at 11:30pm
When will you people be happy? When Satan starts walking on the face of the earth? If marriage was meant to be between members of the same sex then we would have been created as asexual creatures that can procreate. There is nothing moral about your decision to go against that of God's. He gives us free choice but that should not mean that you translate that to pushing your immoral behavior and promoting it as ok. The mentatlity that there are others that share my views does not make those views correct. There is right and there is wrong and just because you do not believe that or you believe that something wrong is right does not entitle you to going against the natural order of things. Quit justifying your immoral behavior.
Sep 12th, 2009 at 11:47am
I see now what this organization is about...breaking down morals one way or another. Really sad and horrible. You will see in the end what your efforts has done.
Sep 12th, 2009 at 11:22pm
Next step: bring back traditional marriage! I'd like to see some color on THAT map as well.
Sep 14th, 2009 at 4:22pm
aclu.... u really are such peaces of shit
Sep 15th, 2009 at 2:58pm
Yawn the wing nuts are reciting the same old bigoted rubbish as all the other brainless sheep.It's too bad that
they don't try thinking for themselves rather than letting Fox News and their T.V. evangilist do it for them.
Sep 15th, 2009 at 8:35pm
Well, here we go again. I am not against same sex marriages, per se, but why won't the ACLU promote traditional marriages as well. What happened to seeing both sides of the coin? Is the ACLU only for the little guy, the ones who are minorities? White men are minorities, in today's world. Traditional marriages are a minority in todays world. Believing in God is in minority in todays world. Will the ACLU take on their causes as well?
Sep 16th, 2009 at 2:50pm
Why are we fighting about LGBT when the
oerson tacking over the job of head man in the IRS has not paid his taxes, go to the tea party
Sep 16th, 2009 at 3:00pm
aclu fight for the little guy!!! PLEASE!!!Even GOD only asks for 10%.ACLU fights for LGBT when middle class america is paying for the wars all over the world.
Sep 16th, 2009 at 3:02pm
why? is the letter "L" first in "LGBT" if we are all equal
Sep 16th, 2009 at 6:38pm
bring back traditional marriage! I’d like to see some color on THAT map as well.
Sep 22nd, 2009 at 3:03pm
ganadoariz, the ACLU would fight for traditional marriages if the State were trying to restrict them. They do fight when the State attempts to take away an individual's right to practice her/his religion.
I should know better, but am constantly amazed that people can equate giving someone a right automatically means taking away their rights. It is not a zero-sum game.
Oct 3rd, 2009 at 1:47am
It is 1:30 in the morning, and I am amazed at some - or most - of the comments people are posting. Have people really forgotten how ignorant it makes them look when they can't speak in complete sentences - or when they only spew hatred from their mouths? I was once married in the traditional sense of the word. I am now married in the non traditional sense, same sex. I have raised two children who are productive members of society and I was raised by straight, God-fearing parents. i went to church twice a week for good measure. My current spouse and I give our belongings away to those who may need them more, and make sure to take food to work to help those that can't provide a good meal to their children during a week without a paycheck. If people remembered how to be kind to one another, we - as a nation - wouldn't have some of the issues that we face today. Why should it matter who I sleep with at night, or whom I choose to love and trust? My relationship with my current spouse (female) faced the same issues as my relationship with my ex-spouse (male) faced. We still fought over money, who is responsible for trash duty, and who is going to get out of bed to turn off the forgotten light. Every relationship should be based and built on love and trust, not sexual organs. It might do all of us a world of good if we remembered to treat each other kindly. At a time our world is at war and parents every day lose children to gunfire, illness and violence, I find it sad and pathetic that we have to spend the energy to tell one another that it is 'wrong' to love a person of the same sex... My advice, get over it! It doesn't affect you, it doesnt hurt you. Let us see how much good we can accomplish when we put our time, money and energy into curing illness, stopping wars, and combating poverty and violence. Make the world a better place by bringing more love and joy into it, not trying to remove it.
Dec 11th, 2009 at 8:41pm
Regardless of whether the term marriage is applied, federal benefits will still be denied to same-sex couples in Vermont. And states that do not recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions will also deny state rights and responsibilities to same sex couples married in Vermont. This bill will not change that fact. But nice topic to write custom papers
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