Maine, New Hampshire and Marie!

The state of Maine has legalized same-sex marriage. The state Senate passed the legislation 21-13, after the House had approved the measure on Tuesday. Gov. John Baldacci signed the legislation immediately. Baldacci said he had previous opposed marriage rights for gay couples but has changed his mind. In what I consider a very kind, symbolic touch, Senate President Elizabet Mitchell stepped down momentarily during the final vote. She turned the preceedings over to Senator Lawrence Bliss, to allow him to announce the final vote. Bliss is a gay member of the Senate.

Today, in New Hampshire, the House has voted to legalize gay marriage. The bill has passed the Senate already. The issue is now in the hands of the governor, John Lynch, who has previously opposed gay marriage. Considering that marriage equality is pretty much the norm in New England the pressure on Lynch will be to sign the bill. If he is a coward he can let the bill become law without his signature.

Meanwhile, indicating the shift, was something Marie Osmond said. She spoke openly on radio that her daughter is gay and that she loves her daughter. Marie, a Mormon, also said, "when it comes to marriage, I think civil rights should be for all." She spoke against mixing church and state. Marie Osmond!