Just before signing the bill before an audience of cheering supporters in the State House Cabinet Room, the governor declared this to be a "proud day for Maine." Baldacci, who submitted the bill, says it not only "offers essential civil rights," but also "serves as a welcome."

The law, which received final House and Senate passage last night, takes effect in late June. It makes Maine the sixth and final New England state to adopt a gay rights law.

But opponents aren't giving up. The Christian Civic League of Maine plans to announce its next move -- and that could be a petition drive to send the legislation out to voters. The civic league helped to organize two previous, successful referendum campaigns to undo gay rights laws. Its online newspaper says the only way to stop the newest bill is through a "people's veto" referendum.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 31, 2005 at 10:42 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.