Is same-sex marriage legal in Maine?

Answer 1

Yes. Effective December 29, 2012, same-sex marriage will be legal in the state of Maine. Also, Maine allows same-sex couples to register for Domestic Partnerships, which have some but not the same rights as marriage.

History:

A bill enacting gay marriage was signed into law on May 6, 2009 by Governor Baldacci. However, this bill was repealed by referendum on November 3, 2009 with 53% of the vote, before the law was enacted. On November 6, 2012, the matter was again put to a public referendum. This time, the electorate of Maine voted to permit same-sex marriage when the majority of voters answered yes to Maine Question 1 2012: "Do you want to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples?"

Answer 2

Yes, effective August 1, 2013.

Court HistoryOn 1970 May 18, Richard Baker and James Michael McConnell applied for a marriage license in Minnesota but were denied. They filed suit in court, but the claims were dismissed in district court. It was then appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court. In 1971 October 15, the Minnesota Supreme Court held that the statutes prohibited marriage between person of the same sex, stating a fundamental difference in marriage restriction based on race as opposed to sex. They appealed to the US Supreme Court, but on 1972 October 10, they denied to hear the case as they deemed that it was not a federal question.

This case was the first legal challenge to same-sex marriage restriction in the US.

Answer 3

Yes. Same-sex marriage is legal in Wisconsin effective October 6, 2014.

Answer 4

Effective June 26, 2015, the marriage laws of the state of Michigan are identical for same-sex and opposite sex couples.

Answer 5

Yes. Same-sex marriage is legal in Michigan effective June 26, 2015.

Answer 6

No. Civil unions are not legal in Michigan.