Alert: Maine Opposition Pushing Ahead in Polls and Money

Tomorrow Mainers will decide the fate of the marriage equality bill, and the No on 1 Protect Maine Equality is now behind the polls and facing an uphill challenge as the opposition drives a last minute fund-raising campaign.

A new poll released today shows those in favor overturning marriage equality, or those voting YES for Question 1, beating us 51% to 47%.

And to make matters a little worse, the Yes on 1 side has just done an unexpected, major push to raise $25,000 to air one last major attack ad (Unite The Fight).

Please get out the word, donate, volunteer and vote!

No On 1 Ad: The Choice is Clear

No On 1's new ad lets voters know that we have a choice, keep LGBT families in the dark and silent, or to promote equality and justice for all people. The choice is clear, vote NO on question 1.

No On 1 TV Ad: Book

The No On 1 Protect Maine Equality campaign has released a new ad rebuttal against the anti-gay organization seeking to overturn the marriage equality law. The new ad sets the record straight on a children's book that values all families.

Take a Volunteer Vacation to Maine

The folks at No On 1/Protect Maine Equality invite you to consider a "volunteer vacation" this fall.

During the month leading up to the election, the campaign will be hosting a team of highly motivated volunteers to serve as full-time, volunteer campaign staff. In Maine voters begin casting their ballots in October, so we’re planning the Volunteer Vacation to run during the entire month of October. There are several shifts to choose from, each lasting one week (although you’re welcome to stay longer):

*WEEK #1: Sun, Oct 4 – Sun, Oct 11 (Arrive Sat, Oct 3. Orientation Sun, Oct 4. Depart Sun, Oct 11)

*WEEK #2: Sun, Oct 11 – Sun, Oct 18 (Arrive Sat, Oct 10. Orientation Sun, Oct 11. Depart Sun, Oct 18)

*WEEK #3: Sun, Oct 18 – Sun, Oct 25 (Arrive Sat, Oct 17. Orientation Sun, Oct 18. Depart Sun, Oct 25)

*WEEK #4: Sun, Oct 25 – Wednesday, Nov 4 (Arrive Sat, Oct 24. Orientation Sun, Oct 25. Depart Sun, Nov 1)

When you arrive, you will receive a full orientation and will be assigned to a team, where you will be trained on various aspects of the campaign. The campaign will provide housing with local supporters, but you will be responsible for paying for your own travel to/from Portland, food, and local transportation.

Crossposted via Joe My God.

First TV Ads from the No on 1 Campaign

The first official TV ads from the No on 1 protect marriage equality Maine campaign have been released.





Please consider supporting the efforts to keep these ads running by donating to the No on 1 campaign.

Request an Early Ballot to Vote No on 1 in Maine!

Mainers don't have to wait for the November 3rd referendum election to cast their vote for marriage equality. People can vote as soon as September against referendum 1 which if passed will eliminate same-sex marriage.

Registered voters can request an absentee ballot via mail and cast their vote early.

Please fill out the form via Equality Maine for their tracking purposes, and to be re-directed to the Secretary of State's form for ballot requests.

Equality in Marriage - The Maine Way!

Here is a great new ad showing gay and straight families speaking up for equality that was created by Equality Maine, Main Civil Liberties Union, and the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders urging Mainer's to keep marriage equality when they goto vote this November.



Share the video with friends and family and be sure to take steps to protect marriage in Maine.

Steps to Take to Protect Marriage in Maine

Just a few months ago the state of Maine made history by legalizing same-sex marriage, but right wing opponents are ready to bring the issue to a vote on the ballot come November. Mainers are equally split similarly to how the voting turned out in California's proposition 8 on whether same-sex couples should have the right to marry.

Please join the Maine Freedom to Marry campaign to ensure that we keep marriage equality as the law of the land.

Steps to take:

Take the pledge to support marriage fairness.

Donate money to the campaign.

Volunteer to help out the campaign (Maine & out of state residents)

Start a cyber campaign to fund raise for MFTM.

Make your voice heard by blogging for equality.

Maine Officially Becomes 5th State to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

It is with great pleasure to report that Governor John Baldacci of Maine has signed LD 1020 An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom. Via a press release on his website, the governor who formerly was opposed to marriage has now come out saying "he does not believe civil unions are equal to marriage, and that signing this legislation is the right thing to do".

Maine House to Vote on Marriage Equality Bill Tuesday. Urge Them to Support!

Maine's Senate passed the marriage equality bill Thursday and will be headed to the House Tuesday for a floor vote Tuesday, May 5.

Maine voters are deeply divided over marriage equality, so it's important that the House hears from you and your support for its passing.

ACTION: Contact your Maine representative and tell them to vote yes for marriage equality.

Also, take a minute to sign Equality Maine's thank you letter to the Senators who passed marriage equality bill LD 1020.

Crossposted via Unite The Fight.

Contact Maine Senate Judiciary Committee to Pass Marriage Bill LD 1020

The Maine Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing yesterday on LD 1020 the bill to reverse the state ban on same-sex marriage and open up the institution to gay and lesbian couples. 3,000 people packed the University of Maine campus to speak as proponents or opponents of the bill, in a heated 14 hour long event.

The committee will convene again on Tuesday, April 28th, and it is critical that they hear more testimonies and opinions of those in favor of full marriage rights.

Maine residents can send a message to their representatives through the Equality Maine form.

All Americans should also contact all 14 reps on the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to vote in favor of LD 1020.