Three Governors and Marriage Equality

by Michael A. Jones

Published March 29, 2009 @ 08:42AM PT

New England is really at the center of the marriage equality movement, with votes this past week in the Vermont and New Hampshire state legislatures supporting marriage equality.  The third state that got a little less attention this week than VT or NH, but is still a critical player in movement for LGBT rights, is Maine.  The group Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) has launched a campaign - six by twelve - which seeks to get all six New England states to recognize same-sex marriage by 2012.  The hope is that it happens much sooner.

In these three states - Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine - the story does seem to come down to how the governor in each respective state views the issue of marriage.  And in all three states, you see a slightly different approach.  In Vermont especially, same-sex marriage is going to have to happen in spite of the state's governor (Jim Douglas), not because of his support.  But in New Hampshire and Maine, the story doesn't seem so finite.  At least not yet.  Below we offer a quick snapshot of all three governors and how they've weighed in on the issue of same-sex marriage.  Because as it's shaping up, these three individuals are going to be front and center in the debate over marriage equality - either as champions, or as impediments.

Maine:  I'm starting with Maine for selfish reasons - I happen to think that of all three states, Maine tends to have the Governor most likely to support same-sex marriage legislation.  A bill in Maine's legislature has 64 co-sponsors on it, Equality Maine has been phenomenal in organizing support for same-sex marriage (check out their great YouTube clip here, and their Web site here), and religious leaders/businesses/organizations have joined together to form the Maine Freedom to Marry Coalition (see Web site here, as well as an awesome video on why parents and educators support marriage equality).  In other words, the state is organized.  The Governor of the state, John Baldacci, is on record as opposing same-sex marriage, dating back to a comment he made in November 2005 during a debate.  But there's way more to the story than that November 2005 comment, and it starts with a statement that Governor Baldacci made in January 2009, as he learned that the Maine legislature would be taking up the issue of marriage equality.  Here's an excerpt of Baldacci's statement:

This debate is extremely personal for many people, and it's an issue that I struggle with trying to find the best path forward...

As the debate about marriage progresses, it's my hope that we can have a thoughtful conversation that considers all sides of the issue.

I spoke with Sen. Damon [sponsor of marriage equality legislation] yesterday about his legislation, and I told him I would listen to what he has to say, and I will listen as the people of Maine join in this conversation.

I'm not prepared to say I support gay marriage today, but I will consider what I hear as the Legislature works to find the best way to address discrimination.

So it's clear that Baldacci isn't making any promises.  But the above statement certainly isn't a veto promise.  Couple this with the fact that Baldacci only has two more years left in office, and is not running for re-election (thus doesn't have to worry about viewing this issue through the lens of a campaign), and it seems like Baldacci could set himself up to be a true hero of the civil rights movement with support for marriage equality.

Vermont:  It gets a little more ugly talking about Vermont's governor, Jim Douglas.  Gov. Douglas made a big stink this week when he broke his silence on whether he would veto marriage equality legislation that sailed through VT's Senate, and is likely to sail through the VT House this week.  The answer was grim: "Marriage should remain between a man and a woman.  For those reasons and because I believe that by removing any uncertainty about my position we can move more quickly beyond this debate, I am announcing that I intend to veto this legislation when it reaches my desk."  A massive rally on Friday outside of the Governor's office, taking him to task for his promised veto, certainly showed the level of support that same-sex marriage has in VT.  But is it likely to change the governor's mind?  Probably not.  Which means that in Vermont, same-sex marriage is going to have to happen in spite of this governor...and it's entirely possible.  Once Douglas officially vetoes the bill, the VT House will have a chance to override his veto with a two-thirds majority.  The vote would be close.  Governor Douglas unfortunately has become an impediment to civil rights, which is a shame (Douglas has in the past supported several LGBT rights measures, including a statewide anti-discrimination ordinance protecting both sexual orientation and gender identity).  Douglas would be up for re-election in 2010, however.  If he decides to run again, watch for a pro-marriage equality candidate to emerge as a serious challenger to Douglas.

New Hampshire:  Last but not least comes NH, and its governor, John Lynch.  Gov. Lynch made history two years ago when he signed into law civil unions - a move that surprised a lot of folks, given that up until recently, New Hampshire was considered a safe, red state.  This past week, New Hampshire surprised people again, with its state house passing a marriage equality bill.  The bill now moves on to the Senate, where its chances are a bit unclear.  But how does Governor Lynch view the bill?  Mum.  Lynch didn't comment on the bill, but said through a spokesperson that he favors civil unions: "The civil unions bill he signed into law prevents discrimination and provides the same legal protections to all New Hampshire families to the extent that is possible under federal law."  So Lynch remains a bit of a mystery, although he may not have to worry about it in the end - the GOP leader in New Hampshire's State Senate has promised a full-on assault to kill the marriage bill now that it's heading over to the Senate.

So there it is...the story of three governors in the states that very well could be the next three states in the country to recognize marriage equality.  One could be a potential ally (Maine's Baldacci), one is certainly an obstacle (Vermont's Douglas), and one is still unknown (New Hampshire's Lynch).  But as these three individuals demonstrate, the Governor's office is a critical component in the debate over marriage equality.  It's something LGBT rights supporters should remember, as the 2010 election season approaches.