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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Maine to allow same-sex marriage | Maine to allow same-sex marriage |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| Gay marriage is to be permitted in the US state of Maine after a bill was passed by both houses of the state's legislature and signed by the governor. | Gay marriage is to be permitted in the US state of Maine after a bill was passed by both houses of the state's legislature and signed by the governor. |
| Maine will be the fifth US state to allow gay marriage, after Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa and Vermont. | Maine will be the fifth US state to allow gay marriage, after Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa and Vermont. |
| A number of other states, including New Hampshire and New York, are also due to consider proposals to legalise it. | A number of other states, including New Hampshire and New York, are also due to consider proposals to legalise it. |
| Earlier this week, Washington DC's city council passed a law to recognise gay marriages performed in other states. | Earlier this week, Washington DC's city council passed a law to recognise gay marriages performed in other states. |
| 'Careful decision' | 'Careful decision' |
| The issue is a controversial topic in the US, and many states have passed bills and constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. | The issue is a controversial topic in the US, and many states have passed bills and constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. |
| GAY MARRIAGE IN THE US States that allow gay marriage:Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, MaineStates where legislation to permit gay marriage is being considered:New Hampshire, New York, New JerseyStates that allow civil unions/domestic partnerships:Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, California*, Hawaii, Oregon, WashingtonStates that recognise out-of-state gay marriages:New Mexico, New York, Rhode IslandStates where neither gay marriage nor any alternatives are permitted:Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming*Gay marriages conducted in California between 17 June and 4 November remain valid, according to the state's attorney general | |
| But in the north-eastern US, momentum has begun to favour supporters of gay marriage. | But in the north-eastern US, momentum has begun to favour supporters of gay marriage. |
| Maine's lower house approved the gay marriage bill by 89 votes to 57, and the state senate voted 21-13 in favour. | Maine's lower house approved the gay marriage bill by 89 votes to 57, and the state senate voted 21-13 in favour. |
| Maine's governor, Democrat John Baldacci, had previously been opposed to gay marriage, but changed his mind when faced with the bill. | Maine's governor, Democrat John Baldacci, had previously been opposed to gay marriage, but changed his mind when faced with the bill. |
| "I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage," he said in a statement. | "I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage," he said in a statement. |
| New Hampshire's governor is set to face a similar decision shortly. | New Hampshire's governor is set to face a similar decision shortly. |
| Both houses of the state's legislature have approved a bill granting gay couples the right to marry. | Both houses of the state's legislature have approved a bill granting gay couples the right to marry. |
| In California, a similar bill was passed in 2005, but was blocked by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. | In California, a similar bill was passed in 2005, but was blocked by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. |
| Last year, California voters backed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in a referendum, although the constitutionality of the vote is still being fought over in court. | Last year, California voters backed a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in a referendum, although the constitutionality of the vote is still being fought over in court. |