Two states decide on issue of same-sex marriage and gay rights

Austin, Texas, Nov 9, 2005 / 22:00 pm

A majority of voters approved writing a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Texas Tuesday.

Approximately, 76 percent of voters favored the amendment, which defines marriage as "the union of one man and one woman" and prohibits the state from "creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage."

This vote will make Texas the 18th state to adopt a pro-marriage constitutional provision. Turnout was 17 percent statewide, reported the Houston Chronicle.

The proposition was supported by Gov. Rick Perry and many churches throughout the state.

State Rep. Warren Chisum, who wrote the amendment, said the victory was won “from the pulpits of the state,” reported the Chronicle.

"The people of Texas have spoken and they intend that marriage should be between one man and one woman," he was quoted as saying.

That same day, Maine voters took to the polls as well and voted to maintain the state’s gay rights law.

The Christian Civic League of Maine and Maine Grassroots Coalition consider the gay rights law as a step toward legalized gay marriage. However, pro-family groups are committed to lobby for a state constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.

"Though we are disappointed in the vote on Question One, we remain committed to marriage as the beautiful and loving union between a man and a woman," said Rev. Sandy Williams of the Coalition for Marriage, reported the Associated Press.

Baldacci is not interested in such an amendment because the state already has a law barring marriage between people of the same gender, his aide, Lee Umphrey, told the AP.