It's Going to be Close in Maine...

The latest polls from Maine put the odds of the continued legality of same-sex marriage in Maine at even: 48% say they will support the referendum that would override the Maine State Legislature's same-sex marriage law while 48% say they will vote no, thus keeping same-sex marriage in Maine legal. It's going to be close. Very, very close. But a few developments are encouraging for those who support same-sex marriage:

1. Supporters of same-sex marriage have raised more money than opponents. This is not usually the case in these battles. Because of this funding, last minute ads that are misleading or untruthful can be responded to quickly and effectively. Many of these ads, as was the case in California, are an attempt to instill fear that somehow school children will now be "indoctrinated into homosexual marriage." What puzzles and disturbs me -- and I say this as a member of a church -- is that religious institutions have spent a great deal of money to deny gay couples the right to marry. These are non-profits that don't pay taxes.  Isn't this illegal? 

2. The wording of the question is confusing. It reads, "Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?" Therefore, a YES vote is actually a vote AGAINST same-sex marriage and a NO vote is actually a vote FOR it. There is research that shows that when people are confused about a ballot question, they will vote no.

3.Major newspapers in Maine have come out against taking away the right to marry, with some extremely strong and persuasive editorials.

If you know anyone in Maine, please let them know if you support same-sex marriage.  It may come down to a few hundred votes.

Finally, I want to thank everyone for making this first week of blogging a success!  Over 350 people have visited.  I began this blog as a promotion for my book about marriage that will come out next fall.  But the blog has become much more than that for me in only one week.  Thanks for checking in!