kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com
Preserve traditional marriage for benefit of future generations
Roger Crouse Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 09/28/2009
Just 12 years ago, in 1997,the Legislature defined marriage and added that definition to Maine law. Section 650, Title 19-A, of Maine law reads in part:
“The union of one man and one woman joined in traditional monogamous marriage is of inestimable value to society; the State has a compelling interest to nurture and promote the unique institution of traditional monogamous marriage in the support of harmonious families and the physical and mental health of children; and that the State has the compelling interest in promoting the moral values inherent in traditional monogamous marriage.” [1997, c. 65, §2 (NEW).]
Earlier this year, however, the Legislature and the governor determined Section 650 is no longer valid or true. They removed it from law at the same time they granted same-sex couples the right to marry.
