Supporters of same-sex marriage suffered a blow in Maine yesterday as the state voted against the legalization of gay marriage.
Polls numbers show that the vote was very close, with 53% of the voters voting "Yes" on Proposition 1 that would ban same-sex marriage in the Northeastern state.
This comes as a shock to many residents who considered the vote a shoe-in due to heavily liberal state legislators. Neighboring states such as Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire all passed laws allowing gay marriage earlier this year.
Frank Schubert, campaign manager of Stand for Marriage Maine, announced to the crowd on Tuesday night:
- "It has all come together tonight, the institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine, and across this nation," Schubert said.
Gay rights activists are not ready to give up so easy. "We're in this for the long haul," said Jesse Connolly, manager of the pro-gay marriage campaign. "For next week, and next month and next year -- until all Maine families are treated equally. Because in the end, this has always been about love and family and that will always be something worth fighting for."
Maine is the 31st state to deny marriage rights to same-sex couples following a popular vote.
What do you think of the vote results?
