Has The Avalanche Started?, Part Two

Image credit: Nova (PBS)


Almost one month ago, I wrote about the passing in Vermont of a law recognizing gay marriage, and an ordinance in the District of Columbia that also recognized it. Iowa's supreme court had just ruled that a law declaring marriage to be between a man and a woman to be unconstitutional, thus making it legal there. In the time since, Connecticut, and now Maine, have passed similar laws:

Maine's Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill into law allowing same-sex marriage in his state. Maine becomes the fifth state to do so. The other four: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont.

"In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions," Baldacci 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."

Maine, Fifth State To Allow Gay Marriage

I think it's starting to look a little avalanchy now. Only forty-five more to go.

UPDATE: New Hampshire's legislature passed a bill today legalizing gay marriage:

Concord – The New Hampshire House sent the gay marriage bill to Gov. John Lynch for signature, voting to agree with Senate changes to the bill.

...

“Any person … may marry any other eligible person regardless of gender,” the bill states.

Gov. Lynch now has the final say on gay marriage. He did not reveal his next move when speaking with reporters. He has said that he thinks the word marriage should be reserved for a union between a man and a woman.

House Passes Same-sex Marriage, 178-167; Bill Now Moves To Governor's Desk

There don't appear to be enough votes to override the governor's veto here, so if the governor vetos it, that's it until the next election. Still, it's another step in the right direction.