AUGUSTA – Members of the Maine House of Representatives voted 89-57 Tuesday to approve a bill that would allow same-sex marriage.

The Senate, which has endorsed the measure in preliminary votes, is expected to take a final vote Wednesday before the bill can be sent to Gov. John Baldacci. The Democratic governor remained undecided on the measure.

Even if Baldacci signs the bill to make Maine the fifth state to authorize gay marriages, enactment of the law could be sidetracked.

Opponents said Tuesday they would take steps to force a repeal referendum under Maine’s people’s veto law.

Meanwhile, supporters chose to savor the House decision, which drew cheers and applause in the chamber.

The following are excerpts of comments made on the House floor by lawmakers from Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

‘No’ votes

Rep. Bruce Bickford, R-Auburn: “I was a proud co-sponsor of the bill to allow the same rights to civil unions that married couples get today. The word marriage, in the traditional intent of that word, was one man and one woman for the purpose of procreation. Two men cannot procreate, two women cannot procreate. This bill is not about civil liberties or civil unions; this bill is about gay and lesbian lifestyles.

Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico: “My daughter is gay. I have known that for about 15 years. I have always loved her, respected her and never judged her for the path she has chosen for herself. But the deepest part of my soul tells me that this is wrong. I have kept this secret within me for 15 years, but because of who I am, and where I am today, as a member of this legislative body, ethically, it is my duty and responsibility to have to publicly say to my daughter that I do not support her way of life. I just had to finally confess to her on just exactly how I feel. I am sorry that there is no other way we could compromise to make things better for everyone.”

‘Yes’ votes

Rep. Brian Bolduc, D-Auburn: “Every time I thought I had made a decision, I ended up changing my mind and found myself back to the drawing board, wrestling with a complicated and very personal issue. I was brought up in a French Catholic community and have attended the St. Louis Church in New Auburn since I was a young child. My value in this debate is justice. This law will not have an impact on the sanctity of the Catholic sacrament of marriage. This bill will make us a more just society.”

Rep. Mike Carey, D-Lewiston: “It was not just at church that I learned about God; every day, my parents showed us what it meant that God is a God of love. I learned to accept this gift of love with humility, with hope and with faith. I believe that all men are created equal, not just straight men. We swore an oath to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and for all children, not just the children of straight parents. This is not a gay bill; this is about love, equality and freedom. I cherish these principles and it’s because of them that I serve this body.”

Rep. Dick Wagner, D-Lewiston: “This is a personal issue for me. Our daughter first told us about the coming wedding about 10 days before, she and her partner didn’t want us to worry about it. We didn’t have to come, but they did want us to know about it ahead of time. We have neighbors, a few doors down, in their 70s; they heard about it, and they said, ‘Can we come, too?’

“She should not have had to worry about telling us when her wedding was going to be and asking us to be there. She shouldn’t have had to worry that some neighbors might want to come, too. But they did worry about that, and that’s sad. I’m proud of (my daughter and her spouse), I’m proud of our neighbors and I am proud of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I look forward to being proud of the state of Maine.”

Rep. Larry Sirois, D-Turner: “I, along with my church, don’t agree with the gay and lesbian lifestyle. We also believe that God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman. That being said, we also believe in the great commandment of God. First, to love God with your whole being; second, to love your neighbor as yourself. That’s everyone we have contact with. I also believe that we are here to make Maine a better state. I feel this bill does that. I really think that’s the right thing to do. If this bill said I would have to believe a different way than I do, about marriage, about gays, I wouldn’t accept it.

Rep. David Van Wie, D-New Gloucester: “Many of you may not know, but my lovely wife is a black woman. Up until 1967, when I was 10 years old, it was illegal for a black person and a white person to marry in 17 states. Supporters of laws banning interracial marriage used most of the same arguments you are hearing today: sanctity, biology, morality, the Bible, procreation, natural law, family and children. Fortunately, we have come a long way in a generation or two. I, for one, cannot imagine being prohibited by law from marrying the woman I love. No single religious belief or viewpoint should be imposed by the majority onto a minority in our civil laws.”

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