GLAD Helps Make ME Hearing a Huge Success
Update: Judiciary Committee votes 11-3 that the marriage equality bill “ought to pass.” The next step is a vote in the full Senate.
Original Story:
The overwhelming success of the April 22 hearing on marriage equality in Maine was the result of a true team effort. For 3 years, GLAD has been a leader of a coalition along with Equality Maine, the Maine Civil Liberties Union, and the Maine Women’s Lobby. The coalition worked long and hard to ensure that the hearing would be well-attended, orderly, positive, and on-message.
GLAD’s legal and communications expertise was on display Wednesday in the Augusta Civic Center. Well-prepared witnesses – from couples with children to WWII veterans – told their personal stories, and emphasized the importance of marriage equality for the state’s children. Witnesses who had worked with Mary Bonauto addressed concerns about religious freedom, and Mary herself testified (see video below) about why the time for incrementalism is over.
The media coverage was uniformly excellent (see below), and GLAD’s twitter feed from the Civic Center was a popular way for equality advocates around the country to follow the hearing. The work continues at the Judiciary Committee’s work session on April 28, at which time they may vote. Stay tuned.
Media Coverage
Maine Public Radio: High Turnout In Augusta For Marriage Equality Bill
Portland Press Herald: Nearly 4,000 Turn Out for Hearing on Same-Sex Marriage
Portland Press Herald Editorial: No Time for Compromise on Same-Sex Marriage
Bangor Daily News: Thousands Fill Same-Sex Marriage Hearing in Augusta
Kennebec Journal: Same-sex Marriage Bill Spurs Full Debate at Civic Center
DailyKos: From the Great State of Maine
On the GLAD blog: All Kinds of Families: Maine’s Marriage Equality Hearing
Mary Bonauto testifies at the hearing: