More Than 100K Sign Petition to Reconsider Gay Marriage in Maine

Gay-rights activists in Maine gathered more than 35,000 signatures on Election Day to support a 2012 ballot imitative that would allow same-sex couples to get marriage license, reported Equality Maine.

In 12 weeks volunteers were able to collect more than 100,000 signatures.

"Not only were we incredibly successful at gathering signatures at the polls today, but volunteers all over the state met voters who have changed their minds on this issue in the last two years," said Betsy Smith, EqualityMaine executive director.

"The enthusiasm was incredible, we had a volunteer in Gardiner who kept calling to extend her shift because she was so excited at how many people were signing," Amy Mello, EqualityMaine's field director, said.

While collecting signatures, some volunteers said they talked to Maine residents about gay marriage. They said that a number of Mainers have changed their views about same-sex marriage since 2009.

"I met a man today in Caribou, who told me he wouldn't have signed two years ago, but his daughter has now convinced him," said EqualityMaine Political Director Ali VanderZanden.

Smith says Mainers' minds have changed about same-sex marriage because of public education efforts made by EqualityMaine and several other LGBT rights organizations, including Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, New England's largest gay-rights group. Based in Boston, the organization was largely responsible for legalization of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts, the first such state to do so.

In 2009, Mainers voted to repeal a law that would allow same-sex couples to marry.

Although gay marriage is currently not legal in Maine, gay citizens do have many rights. Since 2001 Maine provides benefits to same-sex partners who work for the state. Additionally, in 2004 the state established domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

The LGBT community is also protected by the Maine Human Rights Act, which penalizes discrimination in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and education opportunities on the basis of sexual orientation. The state's hate crime laws address sexual orientation but not gender identity.

When it comes to adoption, gay singles and couples have the right to adopt.