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Marriage updates in Maine, France and Australia
June 19, 2012
By Jacob Combs
A new independent poll out in Maine this week shows a remarkable margin of support for a proposed ballot question that would bring marriage equality back to the state, with 55 percent of respondents saying they favor the law and only 36 percent opposed. Significantly, the wording of the poll question mirrored that of the ballot question marriage equality advocates submitted to the Secretary of State, which asked voters if they wanted to offer marriages to gay and lesbian couples while affirming that religious institutions would not be required to preside over marriages counter to their beliefs. Charlie Summers, the Republican Secretary of State and an opponent of marriage equality, released an alternate wording of the measure this week which did not include language about religious protections.
Following the election of Socialist candidate Francois Hollande earlier this month, France’s Socialist Party won a commanding parliamentary majority in another election over the weekend, giving them 314 of Parliament’s 577 seats. This is excellent news for marriage equality in the country, since Hollande ran on a platform that included equal marriage rights for gay couples and should have no problem getting legislation passed in the legislature. According to a communique released by the office of Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayraultr, the legislation has already been drafted and should move forward quickly.
And finally, Australia’s ruling Labor party is attempting to bring marriage equality to a parliamentary vote in the next few months, most likely in August. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation will likely fail, even though the Labor party changed its platform last year to include marriage equality. In a parliamentary system, members of parliament (MPs) are bound to vote along party lines unless their leader specifically allows what’s called a conscience vote, in which each member can vote according to his or her opinion. Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard, an opponent of marriage equality, insisted that Labor MPs be allowed a conscience vote on marriage (meaning there will be fewer votes in support than there would be if the party voted as a bloc). Opposition leader Tony Abbott, on the other hand, has not allowed his MPs a conscience vote, meaning they will all be bound to vote against the legislation. Another marriage equality bill, sponsored by the Greens party’s Adam Bandt, could be considered at a later date.
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11 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Dave in Maine | June 19, 2012 at 8:55 am
Also, about Maine-the opposition has not yet really started their campaign. There have been stories in the paper, more recently this one (http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/17/news/state/fundraising-for-campaign-against-gay-marriage-kicks-off-on-fathers-day/) about start of their fund-raising campaign with the extra collection on Fathers' Day to help support the opposition. It will be interesting what the polls say after the lies have been freshly spread.
But over all, I think I see a more positive attitude here. Of course, reading the comments on the Bangor Daily News makes one wonder…
2.
Scott Wooledge | June 19, 2012 at 9:51 am
Great news coming out of France. I knew we had a stake in this election, but didn't realize the Socialist party had won so handily. Looks pretty optimistic for good news coming out soon.
3.
Bill S. | June 19, 2012 at 9:54 am
Marriage equality in France will bring us closer to achieving marriage equality on all 6 inhabited continents: France has several overseas collectivities in Oceania, such as French Polynesia (which includes the island of Tahiti) and New Caledonia (among others).
France also has departments in the Caribbean: Guadeloupe and Martinique (along with St. Martin and St. Barts which are collectivities) and one large department in South America (French Guinea) and two departments in Africa (islands of Réunion and Mayotte).
France will be the 9th country in Europe, 3rd in North America, 2nd in South America, 3rd in Africa, and 1st in Oceania to legalize equal marriage.
4.
Sagesse | June 19, 2012 at 10:25 am
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5.
EricKoszyk | June 19, 2012 at 10:26 am
If France legalizes marriage do it's departments have to follow suit?
Denmark just legalized marriage equality but Greenland, which is an autonomous nation within the Kingdom of Denmark, does not have to do the same.
6.
Scott Wooledge | June 19, 2012 at 11:07 am
The Dutch part of St. Martin under pressure from the Netherlands recognizes marriage equality but it seems not entirely equally (read a court agreed partner benefits could be denied by gov't). I thought I'd read they can be performed there, but Wikipedia contradicts that saying only that they are recognized.
It's often a fight.
7.
Bill S. | June 19, 2012 at 11:17 am
Departments form the integral parts of the French Republic. While most departments are located in Europe, there are also several departments overseas (Guadeloupe, Martinique in the Caribbean; Réunion and Mayotte off the African coast; and French Guinea in South America). When you are in, for example, Martinique in the Caribbean Sea, you are just as much in France as if you were in Paris.
I am a French resident alien (American citizen) and a French friend of mine said that legalizing marriage equality means that it will be legal throughout the entire Republic (i.e. the overseas territories as well and not just the departments) even though the territories have greater degrees of autonomy. France is a unitary country meaning the central government in Paris has absolute authority over the entire Republic.
8.
Bill S. | June 19, 2012 at 11:20 am
Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius are Caribbean islands that are integral parts of the Netherlands meaning marriage equality is legal there.
9.
Bill S. | June 19, 2012 at 11:24 am
EDIT: According to Wikipedia there are still some legal things that need to be worked out. Marriage equality should be legal there starting in October.
10.
Stefan | June 19, 2012 at 4:59 pm
I don't think their lies are going to have the effect they did last time. Our side has been talking to people ever since our defeat 3 years ago.
11.
dsc77 | June 19, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Yes, we've been working hard at changing hearts and minds! Are you a volunteer with EqMe? I am at the Brewer office.
It's non-stop volunteer recruitment and non-stop persuasion. I have talked to people here and there and I have heard that there is more acceptance now than in 2009 in a lot of places. There are the naysayers on both sides, but I agree with you that fewer people will be swayed by their lies this times.
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