Protesters chanting “Hey Obama let mama marry mama” and “LGBT we demand equality” gathered in front of the Federal Building November 4 to condemn actions in the nearby state of Maine. Earlier in the year, courts in Maine determined that marriage was a civil right under the state's constitution and extended that right to all couples. Those rights were then taken away by a close ballot referendum on November 3. The protest was organized by the Civil Rights Front and participants included the Gay Alliance, Pride At Work, International Socialist Organization and Students For A Democratic Society.

The events in Maine closely resemble those in California a year ago when Proposition 8 took away the rights of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender people to marry in that state, after the courts had established it as a constitutional right. “Majority is not morality” said one speaker. “No one should be stepping in when it comes to something so beautiful as love between two people.”



This is Rochester, New York not Rochester, Maine and our situation is different. A bill has already passed in the New York State Assembly granting same-sex couples the right to marry. Governor David Patterson has indicated he will sign it once it reaches his desk. It is currently held up in the Senate, where economic and budget difficulties have taken priority. Voters in New York should contact their state senators and insist they vote “yes” on the bill. If this bill becomes law, it will make New York the first state to grant equal-marriage rights by legislative action rather than by a court ruling. New York could regain its status as a trend setter for the rest of the country.



Noticeably absent from the event were any representatives of the Democratic Party. Bess Watts of Pride At Work put it “I'm not supporting Obama or any Democrat until they act.” The party did not lift one finger for civil rights in Maine. In fact, the Democratic National Committee contacted voters in Maine not to ask for support of civil rights but to ask for money for a campaign for governor in New Jersey. Obama could repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell which prohibits gays from serving in the military with one stroke of a pen. The Democrats, who have the majority in both houses of Congress as well as the White House, should be championing repeal of the restrictive Defense Of Marriage Act.



There may be a good side to what happened in Maine and California. We can't wait for each individual state to act. As one speaker put it “Mississippi is never going to legalize sexual equality no matter what happens in New York.” This needs to be addressed on a federal level. Otherwise, a couple legally married in one state may not be in another. Sexual orientation needs to be included in the Civil Rights Act.